Let the Public Prosecutor do his duty by proceeding against me on the strength of the affair at Jenne; you will always find me at Villa Mayda.

Tell your superiors this: tell them that I shall not stir from Rome, that I fear only one Judge, and let them fear Him also in their false hearts, for He will be more terrible against falseness of heart than against honest violence!" The Commendatore, who had not been prepared for this blow, grew livid with impotent rage, and was about to burst into a torrent of angry words when the dull rumble of a carriage was heard entering the courtyard.

He looked away from Benedetto and listened.

Benedetto grasped the back of his chair that he might not be tempted to turn his back on him.

The other man roused himself; the angry light, which for a moment had died down, blazed forth again in his eyes.