It was impossible to make him listen to reason, to
make him observethe Christian precept. I know, I know, Donna Caterina promptly
silenced him with a wave ofher hand.
Flaminio Salvo, Iassure you, Prince, has treated
them like a true friend. Yes, the other broke out, as though he had received an
electricshock. It is Sunday to-day, and we must abstain from work, he added,holding
up his hand with a smile.
De Vincentis, who was still speechless with
emotion, nodded his head. Eh, he sighed, interlacing his fingers and waving his
lockedhands. And he rose so that the others should not see the tears behind
hisgold-rimmed glasses. DonIppolito picked up the sheet, opened it and began to
read.
I know that he is a good swordsman, said Don
Ippolito grimly. Hislegs were no longer what they had once been; neither was the
strengthof his wrist.
Meanwhile, I shall have him fetchedhere at once. A
momentlater Liborio, the butler, entered the room, confused, speechless
withsurprise. Roberto, she continued, went to the office of this paper.
Monsignore put in, to break the dark ring ofsilence
into which the Prince had withdrawn. But the Prince had alreadyguessed his
meaning.
Don Ippolito nodded his head, with half-shut
eyes.
Friendship counts for nothing in these days, Don
Ippolito repliedcurtly.
You cannot tell, because, unfortunately, you have
nevertaken any interest in your affairs. A couple of poor wretches, he and his
brother!
He felt that thisdesire had acquired the power over
him of a will that was no longerhis own.
I know nothing, I tell you; nothing at allabout it;
Im in the dark, a blind man. It seems the old enemy feels his horns
smarting.
It would be better, Monsignore went on, if you were
to godownstairs; if you will allow him, Prince.
For the widow and orphans, the poor relatives of
StefanoAuriti will provide. You know thatour friend Capolino is a hot-tempered man,
a regular knight-errant. But first of all De Vincentis has a favour to ask of
you.
And yet this was hisnatural posture: he must
stretch himself out thus to woo sleep. But I am distressed at the way inwhich our
friend Vincente has expressed himself, because. And I should not have known you, her
brother went on.
Donna Caterinamurmured, as a commentary upon her
brothers reading. Roberto, she continued, went to the office of this paper. He felt
that he had degraded himself in his sons eyes.
He has not been here for the last twenty years.
Donna Caterinamurmured, as a commentary upon her brothers reading.
Monsignore again interrupted him,
gravely.
I know that he is a good swordsman, said Don
Ippolito grimly.
To Liborio, who promptly appeared in the doorway,
hegave the order: Preola! It would be better, Monsignore went on, if you were to
godownstairs; if you will allow him, Prince.