But, by my soul, they ask too much when they ask that I should die for them.
If I serve those who plot against my life, as I have served these men you speak of, who shall blame me?
I tell you, Francesco, I wish I might have those others who escaped, that I might do as much by them.

By the living God, I do! And as for the man who was to have supplanted me----" He paused, a deadly smile on his sensual mouth completing the sentence more effectively than lay within the power of words.

"Who could it have been ?" he mused.

"I've vowed that if Heaven will grant me that I discover him, I'll burn a candle to Santa Fosca every Saturday for a twelvemonth and go fasting on the Vigil of the Dead.

Who--who could it have been, Franceschino ?" "How should I know ?" returned Francesco, evading the question.
"You know so much, Checco mio.