which forbade my touching you. I admit that I have resented this late
visit of yours to Donna Aurelia and am still smarting at the length of
it. Ridiculous, but so it is! I know that she has a feeling for you--I
am not secure--I wish you to go. You are really unconscionable, you must
let me say. You have deprived the marchese of a possible mistress, and
now you seem inclined to deprive me of an actual mistress. You are
exorbitant, my young sir----"

"Stop there, Count Giraldi," I said in a voice which I myself hardly
knew for my own. "Stop there. Repeat your last words. You say that I am
for robbing you--of what?"

"Donna Aurelia," said he deliberately, "has done me great honour. I am
her accepted cavalier. She has accorded me the highest favour. She
occupies my villa--the doctor is my humble servant. You will not wish me
to enlarge upon this?"

"You are a liar," I said, "you are a liar," and struck him full in the
face with my open hand. His white face was nearly all I could see of
him.

He recoiled--he had not expected it, I am sure. At that moment, before
he could recover his self-possession, Semifonte gave another hoarse cry
and leapt at me with a dagger. I caught him under the arm-pit, closed
with him and threw him easily. His back gave at the first jerk--there
was no strength in him--and when he was on the ground I disarmed him
with ease and bade him lie still. I put my foot upon his neck, and drew
my sword. "If you stir, assassin, I shall run you through," I said.
"Now, Count Giraldi, I am at your service."