"Thank you," said Ercole. "My respects!"
He made a sort of bow and hurried away, followed by Nino. The old monk watched him thoughtfully, and shook his head once or twice, for he guessed something of the truth, though by no means all.
CHAPTER XVI
"One might almost think that you wished to marry Aurora yourself," said Corbario, with a sneer.
He was standing with his back to the fire in the great library of the villa, for it was late autumn again; it was raining hard and the air was raw and chilly.
"You may think what you please," Marcello answered, leaning back in his deep leathern chair and taking up a book. "I am not going to argue with you."
"Insufferable puppy," growled Folco, almost under his teeth; but Marcello heard.
He rose instantly and faced the elder man without the slightest fear or hesitation.
"If this were not my house, and you my guest, I would have you put out of doors by the servants," he said, in a tone Corbario had never heard before. "As it is, I only advise you to go before I lose my temper altogether."