"Certainly not," I replied; "why should I kill him when there are so many others who have more grievances than I? Moreover, I have no desire to be shot; I am too happy here with you to wish to leave you. Heaven for me is here."
She was satisfied with this, and insisted on my tasting the coffee.
"Is it nice?" she asked.
I smiled, and said that it was very nice.
"Does it taste well?"
"Oh yes; I never drank any coffee I liked so well."
The truth is, Giulia had put a glass of eau-de-vie into the coffee, and I felt that I wanted it after the scene in the morning. How kind, how thoughtful she was! I told her so over and over again before she left, and when she did go, she said with a pretty way of command that she had:
"Expect me in an hour, and do not lose your temper with anyone until I come back; there is trouble enough already."
I promised and she went away.
Giulia, as she had promised, came back in an hour. She brought me a little wine, for she knew that very soon I should be in front of the commandant, and a glass of wine does summon up one's courage. A glass of wine before an interview, a glass of brandy before a battle—that is sound sense. Very soon a couple of soldiers of my own rank came for me. I gave them the remainder of the liquor, and they were very pleased.