“What have you been doing here?”

“I have killed a horse.”

Tito recoiled with horror.

“What!” he exclaimed, “you deal also with irrational beings?”

“What meanest thou by irrational? Has only man true reason? Reason stands alone; one does not see it from the earth.”

“But tell me,” said Tito, “animals, brutes, those which we call irrational, have they souls?”

“Yes and no. They have a spirit without free-will, and are irresponsible. But, to the devil with thee! What a questioner thou art to-day! Farewell—I go to a noble house to do thee another favor.”

“A favor! Me? Tell it me! What is its nature?”

“To prevent a certain wedding.”