"Not from you, Signor, but if the report should get abroad, and it was known that I had set it a-going."
"That never shall be known from me," said Vivaldi, with encreased impatience, "tell me, without fear, all that you conjecture."
"Well then, Signor, I will own, that I do not like the suddenness of my lady's death, no, nor the manner of it, nor her appearance after death!"
"Speak explicitly, and to the point," said Vivaldi.
"Nay, Signor, there are some folks that will not understand, if you speak ever so plain, I am sure I speak plain enough. If I might tell my mind,—I do not believe she came fairly by her death at last!"
"How!" said Vivaldi, "your reasons?"
"Nay, Signor, I have given them already; I said I did not like the suddenness of her death, nor her appearance after, nor"—
"Good heaven!" interrupted Vivaldi, "you mean poison!"
"Hush, Signor, hush! I do not say that; but she did not seem to die naturally."
"Who has been at the villa lately?" said Vivaldi, in a tremulous voice.