“Since there were nine people killed, then, there might easily be a dozen.”
“Yes, very likely there would be if they had not appointed me as arbitrator.”
“At the intercession of one of the two families no doubt?”
“Oh! dear no, at my brother’s request, who heard of the matter at the Chancellor’s house. I asked him what on earth they had to do in Paris with the affairs of an out-of-the-way little village in Corsica; but it seems the préfect mentioned it when he wrote to Paris, and said that if I were to say a word the whole thing would finish like a farce, by a marriage and a public recitation; so my brother took the hint, and replied he would answer for me. What could I do?” added the young man, throwing back his head proudly; “it shall never be said that a de Franchi passed his word for his brother, and that his brother did not fulfil the engagement.”
“And so you have arranged everything?”
“I am afraid so.”
“And we shall see the chief of one of these two parties this evening, no doubt?”
“Just so; last night I saw the other.”
“Are we going to see an Orlandi or a Colona?”