style. The above sentences must be imagined as hurled forth in a series
of yells, with a pant between each of them. As a melodramatic actor this
terrific Marinelli would, I am sure, have risen to the first rank in his
profession.

"Signore," I said, "you are under a misapprehension. I have ensnared
nobody's affections, and I am entirely guiltless of all the crimes which
you are pleased to attribute to me."

"What? Are you not, then, the hound who bears the vile and dishonoured
name of Von Rosenau?"

"I am not. I bear the less distinguished, but, I hope, equally
respectable patronymic of Jenkinson."

But my modest disclaimer passed unheeded, for now another combatant had
thrown himself into the fray.

"Vile and dishonoured name! No one shall permit himself such language
in my presence. I am Lieutenant-General Graf von Rosenau, sir, and you
shall answer to me for your words."

The Herr Graf's knowledge of Italian was somewhat limited; but, such as
it was, it had enabled him to catch the sense of the stigma cast upon
his family, and now he was upon his feet, red and gobbling, like a
turkey-cock, and prepared to do battle with a hundred irate Venetians if
need were.

The marchese stared at him in blank amazement. "_You!_" he
ejaculated--"you Von Rosenau! It is incredible--preposterous. Why, you