"Humph, humph! Most proper, most praiseworthy. But we have no time for generalities. You came to treat of the Terra Vergine?"
"Pardon me, sir; I came to hear why you summoned Adone Alba, one of my flock."
"Could he not have come himself? It had been but his duty."
"He could not, sir; and, to say truth, he would not. He does not intend to sell his land."
"What!"
Corradini half rose from his chair, leaning both hands on the table, and staring though his glasses across the mass of portfolios and papers at the priest.
"He will have no choice allowed him," he said with great anger. "To the interests of the State all minor interests must bend. What! a mere peasant stand in the way of a great enterprise?"
"You intend expropriation then?"
The voice of Don Silverio was very calm and sweet, but his countenance was stern.
Corradini was irritated beyond measure. He did not desire to play that great card so early in the game.