We shall see by-
and-by," returned Leandro, waspishly.
"I'll tell you what, signori miei," said Manutoli; "let it turn out
as it may, it is the saddest and worst affair that has been seen in
Ravenna for many a day. I won't admit the thought, for my part, that
the Marchese Ludovico has really committed this murder. I should
prefer to suppose, that some vagabonds had done it for the sake of
robbery, and had been disturbed before they could carry out their
purpose, or anything. But it is a very sad affair. I would have done
I don't know what, rather than that it should have happened. Think
what will be said. That's what an artist gets by venturing to
Ravenna. You will see the noise that will be made all over Italy."
"But why does it follow that anybody is to blame, at all? Why may
she not have put herself to death?" said one of the previous
speakers.
"A suicide! that is a new idea. But it does not seem a very
promising one. Why should she kill herself? She was in the full tide
of success, and had just received an offer of marriage, if what we
hear is true, from the richest man in Ravenna. Is it likely that she
should choose just that moment to make away with herself?" replied
another.
"In any case the doctors will know what to tell us about that. They
can always tell whether anybody has killed themselves or been
murdered by somebody else.
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