"
There was a pause during which Gouache ran his eyes over the few
lines written on the notepaper, while Giovanni watched him very
pale and wrathful.
"The pin is my wife's, and the note is written on her paper and
addressed to you, though in a feigned hand. Do you deny that both
came from her, were brought by her in person, for yourself?"
"I deny it utterly and categorically," answered Gouache. "Though I
will assuredly demand satisfaction of you for entering my rooms
without my permission, I give you my word of honour that I could
receive no such letter from the princess, your wife. The thing is
monstrously iniquitous, and you have been grossly deceived into
injuring the good name of a woman as innocent as an angel. Since
the pin is the property of the princess, pray return it to her
with my compliments, and say that I found it on the bridge of
Sant' Angelo. I can remember the very date. It was a quarter of an
hour before I was run over by Prince Montevarchi's carriage. It
was therefore on the 23d of September. As for the rest, do me the
favour to tell me where my friends can find yours in an hour."
"At my house. But allow me to add that I do not believe a word of
what you say."
"Is it a Roman custom to insult a man who has agreed to fight with
you?" inquired Gouache.
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