Now all this probably is true enough. The question is,
What did she do then, when she saw what was so well calculated to
throw her into a frenzy of jealousy? My theory is, that she followed
them into the forest, dogged their steps, and finding her
opportunity at the unlucky moment when Ludovico left Bianca
sleeping, did the murder there and then."
The old lawyer started up from his seat, and thrusting his hands
into the pockets of his trousers took a hasty turn across the room;
and then resuming his seat, tossed off a glass of wine before making
any reply.
"And a very good theory too, Signor Barone. I make you my compliment
on it," he said at last. "I was not aware of all the facts, the
very, important facts, you mention. I had ascertained that this
Venetian girl left the city by the Porta Nuova at a strangely early
hour this morning; and that was enough already, to fix my eye upon
her. But what you now tell me is much more important; advances the
case against her to a far more serious point. Upon my word,"
continued the lawyer, after a pause for further meditation; "upon my
word I begin to think that it is the most likely view of the case
that this Signorina Paolina Foscarelli has been the assassin. At all
events it seems quite as likely a theory as that the Marchese should
have done it. Fully as likely," added the lawyer, rubbing his hands
cheerily; "the motive, as motives to such deeds go, is quite as
great in her case as in his.
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