The two women were sobbing bitterly.

Gianbattista, pale and breathing hard, looked as though he would throttle Marzio if he could reach him, and Don Paolo faced the angry artist, with reddening forehead, folding his arms and straining his muscles to control himself.

When Marzio paused for breath, the priest answered him with an effort.
"You may insult me if it pleases you," he said, "it is nothing to me.

I cannot prevent your uttering your senseless blasphemies.

I speak to you of the matter in hand.