'If you had not come here, we should not have quarrelled now,' observed Tebaldo, thrusting his hands into his pockets, lest they should do Francesco some harm.
'We should have quarrelled the next time we met,' continued the latter. 'We always do. I wish to propose a peace, a compromise that may settle matters for ever.'
'What matters? There are no matters to settle. Let me alone, and I will let you alone.'
'Of course, you really mean to marry Miss Slayback? Do you, or do you not?'
'What an absurd question! If I do not mean to marry her, why do you suppose I waste my time with her? Do you imagine that I am in love with her?' He laughed harshly.
'Exactly,' answered Francesco, as though his brother's question seemed perfectly natural to him. 'The only explanation of your conduct is that you wish to marry the girl and get her money. It is very wise. We are all delighted. Vittoria likes her for her own sake, and our mother will be very happy. It will console her for Ferdinando's death, which has been a great blow to her.'
'Well? Are you satisfied? Is that all you wish to know?' Tebaldo stopped before him.
'No. Not by any means. You marry Miss Slayback, and you get your share. I want mine.'
'And what do you consider your share, as you call it?' enquired Tebaldo, with some curiosity, in spite of his ill temper.
'It does not seem likely that you mean to marry them both,' said Francesco, swinging one leg slowly and blowing the smoke towards the window.