"My father," said Giovanni, coming forward, "the Duchessa d'Astrardente has consented to be my wife. I crave your blessing." The old man started, and then stood stock-still. His son had fairly taken his breath away, for he had not expected the news for three or four months to come. Then he advanced and took Corona's hand, and kissed it. "Madam," he said, "you have done my son an honour which extends to myself and to every Saracinesca, dead, living, and to come." Then he laid Corona's hand in Giovanni's, and held his own upon them both. "God bless you," he said, solemnly; and as Corona bent her proud head, he touched her forehead with his lips. Then he embraced Giovanni, and his joy broke out in wild enthusiasm. "Ha, my children," he cried, "there has not been such a couple as you are for generations--there has not been such good news told in these old walls since they have stood here. We will illuminate the castle, the whole town, in your honour--we will ring the bells and have a Te Deum sung--we will have such a festival as was never seen before--we will go to Rome to-morrow and celebrate the espousal--we will--" "Softly, _padre mio_," interrupted Giovanni. "No one must know as yet. You must consider--" "Consider what? consider the marriage? Of course we will consider it, as soon as you please. You shall have such a wedding as was never heard of-- you shall be married by the Cardinal Archpriest of Saint Peter's, by the Holy Father himself. The whole country shall ring with it." It was with difficulty Giovanni succeeded in calming his father's excitement, and in recalling to his mind the circumstances which made it necessary to conceal the engagement for the present. But at last the old man reluctantly consented, and returned to a quieter humour. For some time the three continued to pace the stone rampart. "This is a case of arrant cruelty to a man of my temper," said the Prince. "To be expected to behave like an ordinary creature, with grins and smiles and decent paces, when I have just heard what I have longed to hear for years. But I will revenge myself by making a noise about it by-and-by. I will concoct schemes for your wedding, and dream of nothing but illuminations and decorations. You shall be Prince of Sant' Ilario, Giovanni, as I was before my father died; and I will give you that estate outright, and the palace in the Corso to live in."