"It was the day when you talked with me about my name, Signorina."
"At what time?"
"It must have been between midday and one o'clock."
Beatrice remembered how on that day San Miniato had given a shallow
excuse for not remaining to breakfast at that hour.
"And what was his name?" she now asked for the third time.
"Excellency--Signorina--do not ask me!" Ruggiero was not good at lying.
"It was the Conte di San Miniato, Ruggiero," said Beatrice in a low
voice that trembled with anger. Her face was now almost as white as the
sailor's.
Ruggiero said nothing at first, but turned his head away again.
"Per Dio!" he ejaculated after a short pause. But there was no mistaking
the tone.
Beatrice turned away and with bent head began to walk towards the
ascent. She could not help the gesture she made, clenching her hands
once fiercely and then opening them wide again; but she thought no one
could see her. Ruggiero saw, and understood.
"She is saying to herself, 'I must marry that infamous animal,'" thought
Ruggiero. "But I do not think that she will marry him."
At the foot of the ascent, Beatrice turned and looked back.
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