The priest nodded, but his gentle smile didn’t convince her. “For the moment, yes,” the priest said. “But do not forget what we—”

“I won’t,” her father interrupted. “I promise I won’t forget.”

“Well, then. I ought to be on my way. I had only meant to stop by for a minute or two.” Father Bernardi stood, took a moment to find his balance, and then shook hands with her father. “Thank you for your hospitality.” Turning to Antonina, he grasped her outstretched hand in both of his. “I shall pray for your mother, my dear.”

“Thank you, Father Bernardi. I wish you safe travels.”

While her father said goodbye to his friend, she busied herself with collecting the coffee cups and tray and returning them to the kitchen. Rather than leave the cups to Marta, who had broken all but three of the set over the years, she painstakingly washed and dried and put them away. Only after the other woman, still grumbling about the annoyance and inconvenience of the priest’s visit, had begun to prepare their supper did Antonina return to the study.

Her father was sitting in the chair he had occupied earlier, and he now beckoned her forward. “Come and sit with me. Were you happy to see Father Bernardi again?”

“Of course.”

“I was happy to see him, but . . . well. Things are difficult, as you know. He risks a great deal in coming here.”

“You were upset earlier. When I came in with the coffee.”

“I was, but not with him. You know we’ve always relished a lively discussion. But I do regret . . .”

“What is it?” she pressed, and it was impossible to keep the fear from her voice.

He reached out to grasp her hand. As if he needed the reassurance of her presence. “I meant what I said, earlier, about belonging nowhere else. And I can bear it, you know—these slights and these difficulties. So long as I may call myself a Venetian. An Italian. But I do regret that your life has become so confined. I had hoped, once, that you might go to university.”

“You—” she began, but the words caught in her throat, choking her. She swallowed hard, waited a moment, and tried again. “You never said. I never knew that you had wanted such a thing for me.”