"You know him?" asked Silvio, surprised.
"Oh yes, I know him," replied Don Agostino, dryly.
"Therefore," Silvio continued, "you see that I have not to fear anything of that kind, as—as you had."
Don Agostino was silent.
Silvio looked at him inquiringly. "You think that I have?" he asked, hastily.
"It is possible," returned Don Agostino. "I do not know for certain. I have no means of knowing for certain," he added, "but I hear rumors—suppositions. Perhaps they are purely imaginary suppositions. In a small place like Montefiano people like to gossip, especially about what they do not understand. Apparently the princess and her daughter are not alone in the castle. A brother of the princess, Baron d'Antin, is staying with them, and also the Abbé Roux, who says mass in the chapel every morning. So, you see, my services are not required."
"Her brother!" said Silvio. "I did not know the Princess Montefiano had a brother."
Don Agostino nodded. "Yes," he returned, "and—well, it is precisely about this brother that people talk."
Silvio looked at him with amazement.
"About him!" he exclaimed. "What could there be to say about him and Bianca? It is too ridiculous—"