“Judge for yourself,” he said—and held out the letter of warning from Father Patrizio.
In silence, Mrs. Gallilee read the words which declared her to be the object of Teresa’s inveterate resentment, and which charged Carmina with the serious duty of keeping the peace.
“Does it alarm you?” Mr. Le Frank asked.
“I hardly know what I feel,” she answered. “Give me time to think.”
Mr. Le Frank went back to his chair. He had reason to congratulate himself already: he had shifted to other shoulders the pecuniary responsibility involved in the failure of his Song. Observing Mrs. Gallilee, he began to see possibilities of a brighter prospect still. Thus far she had kept him at a certain distance. Was the change of mind coming, which would admit him to the position (with all its solid advantages) of a confidential friend?
She suddenly took up Father Patrizio’s letter, and showed it to him.
“What impression does it produce on you,” she asked, “knowing no more than you know now?”
“The priest’s cautious language, madam, speaks for itself. You have an enemy who will stick at nothing.”
She still hesitated to trust him.
“You see me here,” she went on, “confined to my room; likely, perhaps, to be in this helpless condition for some time to come. How would you protect yourself against that woman, in my place?”