"Would that I could feel so, madame, but I cannot!"
"And why, pray?"
"Because Giovanni evidently has powerful enemies in Rome and its vicinity who, no doubt, are at this moment operating against him and using all their efforts to prevent him from succeeding in his mission."
"What makes you think he has such remorseless enemies?"
"A letter my father received from Rome in response to inquiries he made and the illusion—it must be an illusion—under which my brother Espérance labors in regard to Giovanni."
"Your brother Espérance! Then he believes in young Massetti's guilt?"
"Alas! yes; he firmly believes in it and stigmatizes the Viscount as the worst of scoundrels."
"Has he given you the reasons for his belief, has he stated them to your father?"
"He has dealt only in vague, mysterious allusions; an oath of silence, it appears, prevents him from speaking out."