I am obliged to ask you what conversation, of a
special nature, passed between you and Bianca Lalli during your
excursion?"
"I will make no pretence at not understanding your question, Signor,
nor any attempt to conceal the truth. I have already stated the
facts; or that, which you have evidently heard, could not have
reached your ears. The Signorina Bianca Lalli confided to me the
fact, that my uncle the Marchese Lamberto had offered marriage to
her."
"Most lamentable, and to be regretted in every way," said the
magistrate, gravely shaking his head. "You perceive, Signor
Marchese, the terrible, but inevitable suggestion, that arises from
the fact of your having been made aware of a purpose so disastrous
to your interests?"
"I call your attention, Signor, again to the fact, that nothing
would have been known of any such communication having been made to
me, had I not spontaneously mentioned the circumstance myself."
"It is true, Signor Marchese, and it will not be forgotten that this
circumstance was spontaneously mentioned by you. But you must
observe, that the fact of the proposal made by the Marchese Lamberto
would have become known in more ways than one. And unhappily the
fact that such a proposal had been made, would throw a very
disagreeable light on the extraordinary circumstances of this death.
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