“Is Tiretta the guilty party, madam?”
“The same.”
“And what is his crime?”
“He is a villain; he has insulted me in the most monstrous manner.”
“I should not have thought him capable of doing so.”
“I daresay not, but then you are a moral man.”
“But what was the nature of his offence? You may confide in my secrecy.”
“I really couldn’t tell you, it’s quite out of the question; but I trust you will be able to guess it. Yesterday, during the execution of the wretched Damien, he strongly abused the position in which he found himself behind me.”
“I see; I understand what you mean; you need say no more. You have cause for anger, and he is to blame for acting in such a manner. But allow me to say that the case is not unexampled or even uncommon, and I think you might make some allowance for the strength of love, the close quarters, and above all for the youth and passion of the sinner. Moreover, the offence is one which may be expiated in a number of ways, provided the parties come to an agreement. Tiretta is young and a perfect gentleman, he is handsome and at bottom a good fellow; could not a marriage be arranged?”
I waited for a reply, but perceiving that the injured party kept silence (a circumstance which seemed to me a good omen) I went on.