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Updated: June 24, 2025
'My lord, said Trombin, his manner suddenly becoming extremely affable, 'I have the honour to drink your health! 'Your health, Count, responded Pignaver, raising his glass. 'Your health, said Gambardella, bowing politely, and then sipping his wine with all the caution required to keep his long nose out of it.
The woman's sudden appearance and her face at the door recalled too well how she had come back suddenly, on the day of the last lesson in Venice, to warn the pair that Pignaver was near, and Ortensia could not bear to think that she could ever have been caught with young Altieri in such a situation as to make the warning positively necessary for her own safety.
'What do you advise me to do? asked Pignaver, suddenly appeased. He had changed his tone and spoke almost calmly, for his anger, like most things he did, was a matter of acting. The Signor understood, and again he smiled faintly. Before he answered he carefully snuffed and trimmed the three wicks of the tall brass lamp on the table.
Having settled matters in this way and, moreover, satisfied his appetite with a good supper, Pignaver took leave of the Bravi with considerable ceremony, for he perceived that they were as exigent and punctilious as to all points of courtesy as any noble in Italy, France, or Spain; and it would not be good to fall out with such touchy gentlemen on a point of manners.
It was not Stradella's first adventure, though it was his last, and he fully realised that Pignaver would use every means to wreak his vengeance. It could not have occurred to the runaways that three days would be wasted in searching Venice before the pursuit actually began.
'But if they have already fled, and if you insist upon finding them, you will have to employ private agents. 'Yes, yes, answered Pignaver thoughtfully. 'That will be best. Can you recommend any person to undertake such a delicate business, sir? I suppose that, in your position, you are acquainted at least with the names of some such men.
'Yes, answered Pignaver, at first a little surprised by the question, for he had spoken clearly, although the whole conversation was carried on in low tones. The Bravo saw his expression, and hastened to explain. 'My left ear is a little deaf, he said, turning his head so as to present the other. 'Nothing remains but to agree on the price of the service, he continued in a business-like tone.
Only forty-eight hours had passed since this same gentleman had sent word to Pignaver of the attempt made by a supposed thief to get over the garden wall. 'He was not a burglar, my friend, the Signor now said with conviction.
'My name is Pignaver, he said slowly, and dwelling proudly on each syllable, 'and I am a Senator. You will understand at once why I wear a mask here. I am well known by sight to many, and I have many friends 'One too many, I presume, suggested Gambardella, interrupting softly.
Pignaver had cleverly cut short his flight in order to take Ortensia from him, but to accomplish this the Senator had been obliged to put off the murder he doubtless contemplated.
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