He leaned back pale and astonished, and momentarily dumb with amazement.

Gianbattista stood over him, his young cheeks flushed with anger, and his broad fist clenched.
"If you dare to talk in that way to Don Paolo, I will kill you with my hands!" he said, his voice sinking lower with concentrated determination.

"I have had enough of your foul talk.

He is a better man than you, as I told you last night, and I repeat it now--take care--" Marzio made a movement as though he would rise, and at the same instant Gianbattista seized the long, fine-pointed punch, which served for the eyes of the cherubs--a dangerous weapon in a determined hand.
Don Paolo had risen from his chair, and was trying to push himself between the two.

But Gianbattista would not let him.
"For heaven's sake," cried the priest in great distress, "no violence, Tista--I will call the men--" "Never fear," answered the apprentice quietly; "the man is a coward." "To me--you dare to say that to me!" exclaimed Marzio, drawing back at the same time.
"Yes--it is quite true.