Then, Mansana declared, he would at any rate seek Luigi. But Sardi undertook himself to carry the challenge to the lieutenant. "Though, after all," he added, "what is he to be challenged for?"
"For what he has said of me," shouted Mansana.
"But what has he said of you? That you are in love with Amanda Brandini? Is this not true?"
Now, had Mansana started on his journey without meeting Major Sardi, it is tolerably certain that he would, in two or three days' time, have been married to the Princess Leaney; whereas the following conversation now took place.
"Have you the boldness to assert that I love Amanda?"
"I refuse to answer that; but if you do not love her, what the devil does it concern you if the young whelp says so, or whether he cares for her himself; or even whether he attempts to seduce her?"
"You are a boor and a scoundrel to use such language!"
"And what are you, pray, who can openly abuse a young man for the crime of talking and jesting with his cousin?"
"Jesting with her!" repeated Mansana scornfully, with clenched fists and knitted brows; whilst Sardi interjected:
"Who is to look after her when you are gone?"