Part 43 (1/2)

There was nothing to be done now, but to speak the truth.

”It is here,” said Marietta, growing paler, ”because I came here, unknown to any one except Pasquale who let me in, because I came alone last night to warn the man I love that Giovanni had planned his destruction, and to save him if I could. In my haste I left the mantle in that chair of yours, in which I had been sitting. It slipped from my shoulders as I sat, and there Giovanni must have found it. If you had seen it there you would know that what I say is true.”

”I did see it,” said Beroviero. ”Giovanni left it where it was, and I folded it myself this morning. Zorzi did not steal the mantle. I take back that accusation.”

”Nor has he stolen your secrets. Take that back, too, if you are just. You always were, till now.”

”I have searched the place where he and I put the book, and it is not there.”

”Giovanni searched it twelve hours earlier, and it was already gone. Zorzi saved it from your son, and then, in his rage, I suppose that Giovanni accused him of stealing it. He may even have believed it, for I can be just, too. But it is not true. The book is safe.”

”Zorzi took it with him,” said Beroviero.

”You are mistaken. Before he was arrested, he said that I ought to know where it was, in case anything happened to him, in order to tell you.”

Beroviero rose slowly, staring at her, and speaking with an effort.

”You know where it is? He told you? He has not taken it away?”

Marietta smiled, in perfect certainty of victory.

”I know where it is,” she said.

”Where is it?” he asked in extreme anxiety, for he could hardly believe what he heard.

”I will not tell you yet,” was the unexpected answer Marietta gave him. ”And you cannot possibly find it unless I do.”

The veins stood out on the old man's temples in an instant, and the old angry fire came back to his eyes.

”Do you dare to tell me that you will not show me the place where the book is, on the very instant?” he cried.

”Oh yes,” answered Marietta. ”I dare that, and much more. I am not a coward like my brother, you know. I will not tell you the secret till you promise me something.”

”You are trying to sell me what is my own!” he answered angrily. ”You are in league with Zorzi against me, to break off your marriage. But I will not do it-you shall tell me where the book is-if you refuse, you shall repent it as long as you live-I will-”

He stopped short in his speech as he met her disdainful look.

”You never threatened me before,” she said. ”Why do you think that you can frighten me?”

”Give me what is mine,” said the old man angrily. ”That is all I demand. I am not threatening.”

”Set me free from Messer Jacopo, and you shall have it,” answered Marietta.

”No. You shall marry him.”

”I will not. But I will keep your book until you change your mind, or else-but no! If I gave it to Zorzi, he is so honourable that he would bring it back to you without so much as looking into it. I will keep it for myself. Or I will burn it!”

She felt that if she had been a man, she could not have taken such an unfair advantage of him; but she was a defenceless girl, fighting for the liberty of her whole life. That might excuse much, she thought. By this time Beroviero was very angry; he stalked up and down beside the furnace, trailing his thin silk gown behind him, stroking his beard with a quick, impatient movement, and easting fierce glances at Marietta from time to time.

He was not used to being at the mercy of circ.u.mstances, still less to having his mind made up for him by his son and his daughter. Giovanni had made him believe that Zorzi had turned traitor and thief, after five years of faithful service, and the conviction had cut him to the quick; and now Marietta had demonstrated Zorzi's innocence almost beyond doubt, but had made matters worse in other ways, and was taking the high hand with him. He did not realise that from the moment when she had boldly confessed what she had done and had declared her love for Zorzi, his confidence in her had returned by quick degrees, and that the atrocious crime of having come secretly at night to the laboratory had become in his eyes, and perhaps against his will, a mere pardonable piece of rashness; since if Zorzi was innocent, anything which could save him from unjust imprisonment might well be forgiven. He had borne what seemed to him very great misfortunes with fort.i.tude and dignity; but his greatest treasures were safe, his daughter and Paolo G.o.di's ma.n.u.script, and he became furiously angry with Marietta, because she had him in her power.