Don Ippolito smiled; then,slipping his arm through
the others, went on:Come with me.
Yes, the other broke out, as though he had received
an electricshock. And he left the room, without so much as a glance at Lagaipa. I
congratulate you, mind, I congratulate you. To ask for somethingwhich, I am sure,
will be refused.
Donna Caterina hurried from the room; but it was
too late. We saw that at thelast municipal election. You are going tomarry, Im told,
his sister. Then,all of a sudden, the blood surged to his head.
Thoselifeless eyes had long had no tears left to
shed, and now tears welledin them. And he rose so that the others should not see the
tears behind hisgold-rimmed glasses. You are going tomarry, Im told, his sister. And
the cause of our ruin is mybrother Nini!
Flaminio Salvo, Iassure you, Prince, has treated
them like a true friend.
I shall explain to you in a couple of words what
Imean. At Girgenti, since the daybefore yesterday. Donna Caterina hurried from the
room; but it was too late. Perhaps we may never see eachother again. The scoundrels
have already had the lessonthey deserved from our friend Veronica.
Monsignore again interrupted him, gravely. And I
should not have known you, her brother went on.
Caterina, he murmured, as he stood there, and
instinctively held outhis arms to her.
Now I hear that hes talking of letting Salvo have
theMilione estate as well. For my own part, Monsignore, Isaid as much to my own
sister, a fight to a finish!
Don Ippolito, overwhelmed, nodded his head several
times to indicatethat he was aware of this. I shall explain to thePrince what it is
that you want.
He rose stiffly to his feet; but at once controlled
himself and wentto ring a bell. Besides, he went on, Auriti has lost any standing he
may ever havehad in the place.
Pa-pardon me, Your Excellency, he stammered. He
disgusts me so, that Ido not wish either to speak to him or to see him.
A couple of poor wretches, he and his
brother!
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. To Liborio, who promptly appeared in the
doorway, hegave the order: Preola!
You know thatour friend Capolino is a hot-tempered
man, a regular knight-errant. Donna Caterina hurried from the room; but it was too
late. But the Prince had alreadyguessed his meaning. He disgusts me so, that Ido not
wish either to speak to him or to see him.