"You are quite welcome
to as many opportunities as you like, though I confess it would
interest me to know the reason of your good intentions towards
me."
If Gouache had behaved as Giovanni had expected he would, the
latter would have repeated his request that a pretext should be
found which should explain the duel to the world. But there was
such extraordinary assurance in the Zouave's manner that Sant'
Ilario suddenly became exasperated with him and lost his temper, a
misfortune which very rarely happened to him.
"Monsieur Gouache," he said angrily, "I took the liberty of
visiting your lodgings yesterday afternoon, and I found this
letter, fastened with this pin upon your table. I presume you will
not think any further explanation necessary."
Gouache stared at the objects which Sant' Ilario held out to him
and drew back stiffly. It was his turn to be outraged at the
insult.
"Sir," he said, "I understand that you acted in the most
impertinent manner in entering my room and taking what did not
belong to you. I understand nothing else. I found that pin on the
Ponte Sant' Angelo a month ago, and it was, I believe, upon my
table yesterday. As for the letter I know nothing about it. Yes,
if you insist, I will read it.
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