At last, as if his reflections had assumed a determined form, he muttered: "The arm-chair?
it is not completed! And then he would be too late.

A dagger, a sword, an assassin lying in wait?
If Julio were only more courageous; but he is a cowardly boaster.

Why did I take into my service such a poltroon?
He would not dare run the risk of striking a fatal blow; but I can force him to it, force him even to be bold.

I need but pronounce his real name; but the murder of a friend is a frightful crime; and then, perhaps, to be discovered, betrayed--to die on a scaffold like a common felon--I, the head of the house of the Buonvisi!"[13] This thought made him shudder.

After a few moments' reflection, he said, more calmly: "I will go to the bailiff Van Schoonhoven; he has espoused my cause with Mr.Van de Werve; he will, perhaps, be offended that Mary's hand has been disposed of contrary to his urgent solicitations.