ttrue,IswearbyallthesaintsthatIwillkillyou.'
'Goodifitisnottrue,killme.But,byallthesaints,Iswearitistrue,true,true!'Sherepeatedthewordsintriumph,andeachonefelllikethestabofadaggerinmyheart.
Ilefther.AsIwalkedhome,Ifanciedthepeoplewerelookingatme,andsmiling.OnceIwasonthevergeofgoinguptoaman,andaskinghimwhyhelaughed,butIcontainedmyself.HowIwassuffering!IrememberedthatGiuliahadnotseemedsopleasedtoseemeatthetimeIchidmyself,andcalledmyselfexacting,butwasittrue?IfanciedsheturnedawayherlipswhenIwasimprintingmypassionatekissesonthem.ItoldmyselfIwasafool,butwasittrue?IrememberedaslightmovementofwithdrawalwhenIclaspedherinmyarms.Wasittrue?OhGod!wasittrue?
IthoughtofgoingtoMatteo,butIcouldnot.Heknewherbeforehermarriagehewouldbewillingtoaccepttheworstthatwassaidofher.HowcouldIbesodisturbedattheslandersofawicked,jealouswoman?IwishedIhadneverknownClaudia,nevergivenherreasontotakethisrevengeonme.Oh,itwascruel!ButIwouldnotbelieveitIhadsuchtrustinGiulia,suchlove.Shecouldnotbetrayme,whensheknewwhatpassionatelovewaspoureddownuponher.Itwouldbetooungrateful.AndIhaddonesomuchforher,butIdidnotwishtothinkofthat....AllthatIhaddonehadbeenforpureloveandpleasure,andIrequirednothanks.Butsurelyifshehadnolove,shehadatleastsometenderfeelingformeshewouldnotgiveherhonourtoanother.Ahno,Iwouldnotbelieveit.Butwasittrue,ohGod!wasittrue?
Ifoundmyselfathome,andsuddenlyIrememberedtheoldsteward,whomIhadleftinchargeofmyhouse.HisnamewasFabioitwasfromhimthatIgotthenamewhenIpresentedmyselfasaserving-mantooldOrso.Ifanythinghadtakenplaceinthehousehemustknowitandshe,Claudia,saidthewholetownknewit.
'Fabio!'
'Mymaster!'
Hecameintomyroom,andIlookedathimsteadily.
'Fabio,haveyouwelllookedafterallIleftinyourhandswhenIwenttoRome?'
'Yourrentsarepaid,yourharveststakenin,t