"We met in the
morning, we were married at noon, at the municipality, we parted at
the railway station twenty minutes later, and have never met again."
"But you are not married at all!" cried the Princess. "The Church
would annul such a marriage without making the least trouble."
"We were not even married in church," said Malipieri. "We were married
at the municipality only."
"It is not a marriage at all, then."
"Excuse me. It is perfectly valid in law, and my wife has a certified
copy of the register to prove that she has a right to my name."
"Were you mad? What made you do it? It is utterly incomprehensible--to
bind yourself for life to a woman you had never seen! What possible
motive--"
"I will tell you," said Malipieri. "It all happened long ago, when I
was little more than twenty-one. It is not a very long story, but I
beg you not to tell it. You do not suppose me capable of keeping it a
secret in order to make another marriage, not really legal do you?"
"Certainly not," answered the Princess. "I believe you to be an
honourable man. I will not tell your story to any one."
"You may tell Donna Sabina as much of it as you think she need hear.
This is what happened. I served my time in a cavalry regiment--no
matter where, and I had an intimate friend, nearly of my own age, and
a Venetian.
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