"What then?"
"I am about to marry," said Monte-Leone, with a smile.
"Marry! with a case of pistols as a wedding present?"
"Why!" said the Count, moodily, "I may perhaps meet enemies on the road. Now I have more than life to protect: I have my honor."
Monte-Leone, making an affectionate gesture to the old man, descended gayly and sprang into the coach, which bore him rapidly towards Sorrento, and stopped at the door of Signora Rovero's house, as we have previously said.
When she saw Monte-Leone, instead of Taddeo, Signora Rovero trembled.
"Signor," said she to the Count, "for heaven's sake tell me what evil tidings you bear. What misfortune has befallen Taddeo?"
"In two days, Signora, Taddeo will be here, and I have the difficult duty to excuse his absence. He has, however, asked me to deliver you his letter, which explains all."
Signora Rovero took the letter and opened it with eagerness.
"Excuse me, Signor," said she to the Count, "but you must make allowance for a mother's anxiety."