If you cannot, there is a statute, I am quite sure, which forbids your dragging her up the steps of the Capitol, and making her sign her name by force or violence in the presence of the authorities.

You may take my word for it; and so you had better dismiss the matter from your mind at once, and think no more about it." "I remember that you told her so last night," growled Marzio, growing pale with anger.
"Certainly." "You--you--you priest!" cried the chiseller, unable in his rage to find an epithet which he judged more degrading.

Don Paolo smiled.
"Yes, I am a priest," he answered calmly.
"Yea, you are a priest," yelled Marzio, "and what is to become of paternal authority in a household where such fellows as you are listening at the keyholes?
Is a man to have no more rights?
Are we to be ruled by women and creatures in petticoats?
Viper! Poisoning my household, teaching my daughter to disobey me, my wife to despise me, my paid workmen to--" "Silence!" cried Gianbattista in ringing tones, and with the word he sprang to his feet and clapped his hand on Marzio's mouth.
The effect was sudden and unexpected.

Marzio was utterly taken by surprise.

It was incredible to him that any one should dare to forcibly prevent him from indulging in the language he had used with impunity for so many years.