"
"And is not that motive enough, per Dio?" interrupted the lawyer.
"Doubtless it might, at all events, seem so to some people. But you
spoke of my persuading her to go on this unhappy excursion with a
view, as your words imply, of committing the crime you suspect me
of. Now I knew nothing of any such intention on the part of my uncle
till she communicated it to me when we were in the forest."
"That is your statement--"
"And you must remember, Signor Fortini, that I made that statement
to you before I knew anything of her death."
"Before you knew anything of her death. Pshaw! You are assuming your
innocence of the deed. Yes, I remember what you said. I remember
only too well. Had you not spoken to me, there might have been no
proof that you knew anything at all of your uncle's purpose. I wish
to heaven you had not said a word to me on the subject. I shall have
to testify that you declared to me, that your uncle's offer to her
had been communicated to you by her. It will be impossible to avoid
that. And it will be impossible to persuade the magistrate that you
had not previous knowledge of such a purpose from other sources."
"But why should any such intended offer on the part of my uncle be
ever heard of at all?" urged Ludovico. "He will most assuredly never
be willing to speak of it, and--"
"Che! As if that old man, her so-called father, will not be open-
mouthed as to that--as if he would not proclaim it to the whole
city.
Pages:
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442