"If I speak strongly, it is because I think you acted shamefully in permitting this disgraceful butchery."
Saracinesca suddenly lost his temper, as he frequently did.
"Madam," he said, "it is certainly not for you to accuse me of crime, lack of decency, and what you are pleased to call disgraceful butchery, seeing who was the probable cause of the honourable encounter which you characterise in such tasteful language."
"Honourable indeed!" said Corona, very scornfully. "Let that pass. Who, pray, is more to blame than you? Who is the probable cause?"
"Need I tell you?" asked the old man, fixing his flashing eyes upon her.
"What do you mean?" inquired Corona, turning white, and her voice trembling between her anger and her emotion.
"I may be wrong," said the Prince, "but I believe I am right. I believe the duel was fought on your account."
"On my account!" repeated Corona, half rising from her chair in her indignation. Then she sank back again, and added, very coldly, "If you have come here to insult me, Prince, I will send for my husband."
"I beg your pardon, Duchessa," said old Saracinesca. "It is very far from my intention to insult you."
"And who has told you this abominable lie?" asked Corona, still very angry.