He was glad it was over, for a strange weakness in his violent nature made it hard for him to face such scenes unless he were thoroughly roused.

Now, however, he was satisfied.

For a long time he had seen with growing distrust the change in Gianbattista's manner, and in the last words he had spoken to the apprentice he had uttered what was really in his heart.

He was afraid of being altogether overwhelmed by the majority against him in his own house.

He hated Paolo with his whole soul, and he had hated him all his life.