"Then hear me scatter your foul suspicions as the hurricane scatters the leaves in autumn." Gian Maria stared at him in stupefaction.

That overwhelming assurance, that lofty, dignified bearing which made such a noble contrast with his own coarse hectoring, were gradually undermining more and more his confidence.

With a wave of his hand he motioned the soldiers to withdraw, obeying almost unconsciously the master-mind of his cousin by which he was as unconsciously being swayed.
"Now, Highness," said Francesco, as soon as the men were gone, "before I refute the charge you make, let me clearly understand it.

From the expressions you have used I gather it to be this: A conspiracy was laid a little time ago at Sant' Angelo which had for object to supplant you on the throne of Babbiano and set me in your place.

You charge me with having had in that conspiracy a part--the part assigned to me.