"No. I do not."
"I do."
"I am very sorry. I suppose you mean to say that you wish to quarrel with me again. Is that it?"
"Yes."
"You will find it hard. I shall do my very best to be patient whatever you do or say. In the first place, I begin by telling you that I sincerely regret having irritated you twice, as I have done this evening, the second time, as I know, very seriously."
"I did not ask you for an apology," said Gianforte, with contempt.
"But I have offered you one which you will find it hard not to accept."
"You were not formerly so ready with excuses. I dare say you have grown cautious with age, though you are not much older than I."
"Perhaps I have." Ghisleri grew slowly pale, as he bore one insult after the other for the dead woman's sake.
"In other words, you are a coward," said Campodonico, lowering his voice still more.