Mezzoni the Brigand — page 89: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. 81 lishment, and after the door had been closed, the count said: ‘I saw my wife leaving you this evening.” ‘*Well?”’ ‘‘Hurrying secretly from your palace.”’ “Well?” ‘Ay, but it is not well. What did the Signora Amadeo want at your palace?’’ ‘You had better ask the lady.’’ “*T have done so.”’ ‘What did she say?’ ‘“She said that you enticed her there to ruin her, but that she finally succeeded in leaving your palace without being dishonored.’’ As the count said these words he struggled to keep calm, compressing his fingers so fiercely as to nearly drive the nails through the flesh. “Did the Signora Amadeo say that?’’ asked the other, firmly, but quietly, while he regarded the count with his keenest look. ‘She did.’’ ‘Of course the lady could speak naught but the truth,’’ said Alberto, bitterly, though he would not betray the falsehood of the woman who had cast her honor at his feet. “Can you confirm her oath of innocence?’’ “In any way you may suggest,,’’ responded Al- berto, firmly. ‘“The Signora Amadeo is as innocent as an angel, so far as I am concerned.’’ “T believe both my wife and you speak truly,” said the count. ‘‘Now, Alberto Corrello, we must meet and settle this matter at once.”’ ‘You have the right to demand this, when and where you please.”’ com (@) * f b Ls oe | i r © as v4 +m / wd rs ‘ books