"I am sure I could strangle Contarini," she said quietly. "He has a throat like a woman's."
"What a murderous creature you are!" purred the Greek, against hex knee. "You are always talking of killing."
"I should like to see you fighting for your life," she answered, "or for me."
"It is the same thing," he said.
"I should like to see it. It would be a splendid sight."
"What if I got the worst of it?" asked Aristarchi, his vast mouth grinning at the idea.
"You?" Arisa laughed contemptuously. "The man is not born who could kill you. I am sure of it."
"One very nearly succeeded, once upon a time," said Aristarchi.
"One man? I do not believe it!"
"He chanced to be an executioner," answered the Greek calmly, "and I had my hands tied behind me."