The chill weight of the years before her settled down on her shoulders, but she accepted that weight, bent her neck consciously and consentingly to the unwelcome yoke. Unwelcome it would be, but no longer galling as in the past, she knew in her soul that in the instant of her renunciation, she had passed beyond Egidio's power to hurt her,--at least more than superficially, he had shrunk to insignificance. Never again would she be afraid of him, or stirred to anger on her own account by his vulgar insults. Mimmo broke in upon her train of thought, she heard his sweet voice in her ear: "Mammina you have come back to us, you will never leave us again? _Di! mammina, mai più?_" She raised her head and kissing him, answered smiling: "No, _cuoricino mio, mai più_." She rose to her feet straightening her hat mechanically as she did so, then as she became conscious of its existence, drew out the long pins, folded up her veil, removed the hat and laid it on the table. There was a finality in her action that struck Ferrati, and when she turned towards him her face startled him, so pale was it, so calm, so stamped with thoughtful decision. "Ah, you are there, my friend," she said. "Yes," he answered simply, adding, "I am going home now." "Is _he_ downstairs?" "Yes, in the studio, very much subdued. I shall see him on my way out. Be as kind to him as you can--he is disposed to meet you half way." A faint ironical smile crept over her face, then faded leaving it in its former marble like calm. She made no direct answer. "After all life is a question of compromises." He started--this from Ragna! "You look surprised, my friend--I have grown older, and let us hope, wiser, since morning." He made no comment, and turned to go. "Wait a minute," she said, calling him back, "I should like you to leave a note for me at the Grand Hotel, if it is not out of your way." The Grand Hotel! "Not at all," he answered, "Command me in any way, I am entirely at your service." The sincerity of the words pleased her, but she was past feeling much, for the moment. She signed to him to wait so he sat down and watched Carolina feeding the children with a bowl of milk she had just brought. Presently Ragna returned and handed him an envelope; within were these words:-- "MY DEAR ONE,--