An ironical smile played upon his lips; he stepped back one or two paces, drew his knife, and said, mockingly: "It would be strange, signor, if Geronimo should find us engaged in a combat.

It might save his life." "What! would you dare ?" "Why not?
Do you think Julio would permit himself to be led like a sheep to the slaughter ?" "Listen! Ho comes!" exclaimed Simon Turchi, starting with terror.
The repeated strokes of the knocker resounded through the court-yard where the little door gave entrance into the garden.
"Julio, I ask you again," said Turchi, anxiously, "what reliance I may place upon you ?" "I will do what I have promised--neither more nor less." "Then go open the door.

Be guarded in your words, and show no disquietude.
Bring him to this room; tell him that I am engaged with the foreign merchant; if he does not sit down at once, watch a favorable moment to lead him to the arm-chair.

Then call me and I will do the rest." "You, then, are determined to make me entice the Signor Geronimo to sit down in the arm-chair ?" Turchi replied in a threatening voice and with flashing eyes: "Pietro Mostajo, remember the Superintendent of Lucca." Julio left the building, went to the garden-gate and opened it.
"Benvenuto, Signor Geronimo," he said, "what good luck brings you here on a visit to my master?
It is a long time since we have seen you." "It is indeed a long time," replied the young noble with a genial smile, as he walked towards the house.

"But the place looks so wild and uncared for.