"Do you believe so?"
"I am convinced of it."
"Indeed, you may be right; but tell me, beside that noble curiosity, which you so frankly confessed, have you not, by accident, a few other defects?"
The bandit appeared to reflect conscientiously for two or three minutes, and then answered, with an affable grin,—
"My faith! no, Excellency. I cannot find any."
"Are you sure of that?"
"Hum! it may be so, yet I do not believe it."
"Come, you see, you are not sure."
"That is indeed true!" the bandit exclaimed, with pretended candour. "As you know, Excellency, human nature is so imperfect."
Don Stefano gave a nod of assent.