Clearly helps to give consistency and probability
to our theory of the facts. I begin to think that all danger to my
client is at an end, and, upon my word, I am more glad of it than I
can tell you; it would have been a shocking thing. I am an old
Ravenna man, you know, and should have felt it differently from what
you would, you know."
"True; but I am glad enough that the Marchese should be cleared in
the matter, and so will the Government be--very glad."
"I suppose there is no objection to my seeing the Marchesino?"
"Oh, certainly not the least in the world. It is a pity that he
should be detained here any longer; but I am almost afraid to take
the responsibility of discharging him before some formal inquiry has
been made."
"Naturally, naturally. When do you suppose you will be ready to
bring the affair to a trial?"
"Oh, very soon. If there were any chance of getting that old frate
into court it would be worth while to wait for him; but I am afraid
that the longer we wait the worse his fever and ague will get. But I
shall have another try at him out there first."
And with that Signor Fortini passed to the chamber in which the
Marchese Ludovico was confined.
CHAPTER III
Could it have been the Aged Friar?
"Signor Marchese," said the old man, stretching out his hand with,
for him, a very unusual degree of impulsive cordiality, "I have come
to make amende honorable--I need hardly say how delighted I am to do
so.
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