“Indeed, I am quite ready. If there has been any unpleasantness, it has surely not been of my making, but rather of that little man there.” The General pointed to M. Floçon rather contemptuously, and nearly started a fresh disturbance.
“Well, well, let us say no more of that, and proceed to business. I understand,” said the Judge, after fingering a few pages of the dispositions in front of him, “that you are a friend of the Contessa di Castagneto? Indeed, she has told us so herself.”
“It was very good of her to call me her friend. I am proud to hear she so considers me.”
“How long have you known her?”
“Four or five months. Since the beginning of the last winter season in Rome.”
“Did you frequent her house?”
“If you mean, was I permitted to call on her on friendly terms, yes.”
“Did you know all her friends?”
“How can I answer that? I know whom I met there from time to time.”
“Exactly. Did you often meet among them a Signor—Quadling?”