As though to escape from it by braving it he set himself resolutely to consider the expediency of destroying his brother.

The first quick impulse in the morning had developed to a purpose in the afternoon.

He had constructed the probable occurrences out of the materials of his imagination, and had done it so vividly as to frighten himself.

The fright had in some measure cooled his intention, and had been now replaced by a new element in his thoughts, by the apprehension for the future if the deed were accomplished.

He began to speculate upon what would happen afterwards, wondering whether by any means the murder could be discovered, and if in that case it could ever be traced to him.
At the first faint suggestion that such a thing as he was devising could possibly have another issue than he had supposed, Marzio felt a cold sensation in his heart, and his thoughts took a different direction.