You know that nothing can be proved against me unless Giuliana
speaks, and that she dare not for her own sake. There are witnesses who
will swear that Gambara went to Fifanti's house that night. There is not
one to swear that Gambara did not kill Fifanti ere he came forth again; and
it is the popular belief, for his traffic with Giuliana is well-known, as
it is well-known that she fled with him after the murder--which, in itself,
is evidence of a sort. Your Duke has too great a respect for the feelings
of the populace," I sneered, "to venture to outrage them in such a matter.
Besides," I ended, "it is impossible to incriminate me without
incriminating Giuliana and, Messer Pier Luigi seems, I should say,
unwilling to relinquish the lady to the brutalities of a tribunal."
"You are greatly daring," said he, and he was pale now, for in that last
mention of Giuliana, it seemed that I had touched him where he was still
sensitive.
"Daring?" I rejoined. "It is more than I can say for you, Ser Cosimo.
Yours is the coward's fault of caution."
I thought to spur him. If this failed, I was prepared to strike him, for
my temper was beyond control. That he, standing towards me as he did,
should dare to mock me, was more than I could brook. But at that moment
there spoke a harsh voice just behind me.
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