"You are a little brigandess; it pleases me, it is Italian blood! But you are also an intriguer, a shameless intriguer; she follows your advice. I know it! Why was I obliged to go to the debtors' prison? Could you not release me one day sooner? If it were not for the disturbance, your dagger should not deter me, and even if the little cat were to spring into my face, I should be able to settle her."
"Let us talk rationally, Baluzzi."
"With the dagger in your hand?"
"There is something like a wild beast about you! Fasten it in a cage--and the dagger shall return to its sheath."
"Well, I will control myself, although it is difficult for me at this moment. The misfortunes which persecute me, transport me into ever new rage. Could the cursed ball not roll differently? Sono alla disperazione."
He had seized a chair, and threw it to the ground with such force that the back broke.
"Has your rage nearly exhausted itself?" asked Beate.
"It was a relapse--I will be calm. Sit down. What have you to tell me?"
They sat down upon the sofa; Beate watched his every movement with a keen glance.
"Let us talk quietly! This cannot go on much longer!"