"Not at your hands," with a soft laugh.
"Yes! at my hands. I have your letters, written when you truly loved me. When you said you would kill----"
"Silence, devil!" and Matteo, his face set and stern, caught her arm.
"I will not be silent!" screamed Mrs. Verschoyle, struggling to get free. "You shall not marry Carmela."
"I shall; it is the price of your safety."
"My safety?" and she suddenly grew calm.
"Yes, Carmela would have married the Australian. I hated him, and wanted her. He has been searching for the person who killed Leopold Verschoyle, and the evidence all points to you. He asked me if you were on board that night? I said 'No.' I showed your letter. He asked Carmela? She said 'Yes.'"
"The fool!"
"I made her write a letter denying it. She will keep silent for your sake. No one but I can prove it. I will keep silent on condition that I marry Carmela. She has accepted me, and you will not refuse your consent."
"I will."