�I�m sorry for the young lady, if what you tell me is true�—the Count�s expressive hands resented the doubt—�but remember that if I am under obligations to any one in this matter, it is to her father, who has admitted me to his house and has allowed me to see his picture.�
�His picture? Hers!�
�Well, the house is his, at all events.�
�Unhappily—since to her it is a dungeon!�
�Why doesn�t she leave it, then?� exclaimed Wyant impatiently.
The Count clasped his hands. �Ah, how you say that—with what force, with what virility! If you would but say it to her in that tone—you, her countryman! She has no one to advise her; the mother is an idiot; the father is terrible; she is in his power; it is my belief that he would kill her if she resisted him. Mr. Wyant, I tremble for her life while she remains in that house!�
�Oh, come,� said Wyant lightly, �they seem to understand each other well enough. But in any case, you must see that I can�t interfere—at least you would if you were an Englishman,� he added with an escape of contempt.
III
Wyant�s affiliations in Siena being restricted to an acquaintance with his land-lady, he was forced to apply to her for the verification of Count Ottaviano�s story.