“Rather than think she might become yours would I slay her with my own hand!” panted the gondolier. “What have you been doing? You have frightened her!”
“I knocked at the door and asked admission. She should have welcomed me with open arms.”
“I knew you had frightened her. She loathes you, Nicola Mullura.”
“She shall adore me.”
“In her room she has been shuddering and praying since you knocked at the door and demanded admission.”
“You shall soothe her and tell her I have come to take her with me to America, where, in the city of New York, I am already a great man with my people.”
“Never! How have you the impudence to place your feet on these steps! How did you come here?”
“I was brought. When Teresa declined to admit me, I decided to wait until your return, for I knew you were out in the city. I am here. Now we will go in together. You shall leave me with Teresa while you take away the foreigners and return.”
The man spoke as if fully confident that Tortora would comply. The gondolier seemed hesitating, but suddenly he cried:
“As I must die, I’ll not leave you to torture my sister! The Ten will destroy me, but not until I have killed you, Mullura!”