But he would not for anything in the world have allowed any of his three companions to know what had happened.

He was himself not sure.

Marzio had excused the position of his hand by saying that the sun was in his eyes.

There was something else in his eyes, thought Paolo; a look of hatred and of eager desire for blood which it was horrible to remember.
Perhaps he ought not to remember it, for he might, be mistaken, after all, and it was a great sin to suspect any one of wishing to commit such a crime; but nevertheless; and in spite of his desire that it might not have been true, Don Paolo was conscious of having received the impression, and he was sure that it had not been the result of any foolish fright.

He was not a cowardly, man, and although his physical courage had rarely been put to the test, no one who knew him would have charged him with the contemptible timidity which imagines danger gratuitously, and is afraid where no fear is.