I have
told you that I would, rather than accept it, avow myself the
murderer;--ay, and think that I had done it too, and forgotten it,"
said the Marchese, with extreme vehemence.
"But, Signor Marchese," returned the lawyer, with imperturbable
calmness, "it matters nothing to the result, whether you will accept
the idea of the Venetian girl's guilt or not, seeing that you will
not be called upon to pronounce judgment in the case. The fact is,
that every reasonable consideration points to that conclusion. I
wish with all my heart, that the criminal was one in whom you were
less interested." The meaning of which phrase in Signor Fortini's
mouth, probably was, that he wished the Marchese felt less interest
in her who was the criminal. "But I was about to tell you that the
police have become acquainted with the fact, that this Padre
Fabiano, who is a Venetian, was formerly very closely connected in
some way with the family of Paolina Foscarelli. It seems very
probable that he was, in fact, her father. Now he followed her to
the forest, and returned thence in a state of great and painful
agitation, which all mention of the subject renews and increases;
and. further, the old man obstinately refuses to give any account or
explanation of his walk to the forest. The conclusion which has
suggested itself to the police authorities--not at all an unnatural
or unreasonable one--is that the old man has been cognizant of the
deed done by the girl.
Pages:
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610