"As I am speaking the truth, it might be as well to believe me."
"And how am I to know that you are speaking the truth, now or at any other time? You would not change colour, nor look at me less frankly, if you were telling me the greatest falsehood imaginable. Why should I believe you?"
"I am sure I do not know," answered Ghisleri. "I would only like to be sure whether, as a general rule, you mean to believe me in future, or not. If you do not, I need not say anything, I suppose. Conversation would be singularly simplified."
"You would not be so angry with me now, if your story were true," said the Contessa, with a forced laugh.
"A man may reasonably be annoyed at being called a liar even by a lady," retorted Ghisleri.
"And you do not take the least trouble to defend yourself—"
"Not the least. Why should you believe my defence any more than my plain statement? You have rather a logical mind—you ought to see that."
"Are you trying to quarrel with me? You will succeed if you go on in this way."
"No. I am doing my best to answer your questions. I should be very sorry to quarrel with you. You know it. Or are you going to doubt that too?"
"From the tone in which you say it, and from the way you act, I am inclined to."