"I'll tell you what it is
Signor Barone," the old man added, after a pause of deep thought, "I
was anxious to find such plausible grounds of suspicion against
other parties, such element of doubt, such possibilities as might
make it difficult for the judges to condemn our friend. I wanted to
puzzle the court; but, per Bacco! I have puzzled myself. This
afternoon, I confess to you, I had little doubt but that the
Marchesino had, in a fatal moment of anger and desperation,
committed the crime. But, upon my word now, I know not what to
think. Here we have three parties, each of whom we know to have been
acted on by one of three strong passions. We have jealousy, and
wounded vanity. Which of the three has done the deed?"
"It is an extraordinary circumstance," said the Baron Manutoli,
"that they were jeering at the Conte Leandro at the Circolo just
now, about the way the Diva had snubbed him and his verses, and
accusing him in joke of having been her murderer. And, as sure as I
am now speaking to you, Signor Fortini, he looked in a way then that
I--a--a--in short that I thought very odd--turned all sorts of
colours. But then, you know, he is always such an unwholesome-
looking animal."
"One of the vainest men I ever met with," said the lawyer, musing.
"Oh--for vanity--I believe you. Leandro has not his equal for
vanity.
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