"
The Marchese seemed struck by this statement, and remained in silent
thought for a few minutes. "Paolina," he said, at length, "had
motives of hatred against the woman who has been killed, the friar
had motives for feeling strong interest in Paolina. Why may it not
be conceivable that he may have adopted her cause to the extent of
committing a crime with the view of righting what may have seemed to
him to be her wrongs? The explanation may seem a not very probable
one; but no possible or conceivable explanation of the terrible fact
is a probable one, and, certainly, it is more likely that the old
friar should have done the deed than the young girl."
"Humph!" said the lawyer, after spending some minutes of deep
thought on the idea the Marchese had put forward; "I am not quite so
sure that it is more likely. However, the theory is a plausible one,
and deserves attention. Depend upon it, we shall not lose sight of
the old gentleman, let him shiver and shake as much as he may; and
now, Signor Marchese, I must go to your uncle," said the lawyer,
rising.
"How does he bear up under all this misery?"
"Not well, not well. I cannot say that it has fared well with him
during these days; but I have some comfort in store for him. I think
I may venture to assure him that there is no need to imagine that
his name has been disgraced by the commission of a crime, or that
there is any danger that such should continue to be believed to be
the case, either by the magistrates or by anybody else.
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