“I have just seen Benoni; I saw him also on the night you left me, madam,”—­he looked severely at Hedwig,—­“and I am reluctantly forced to confess that he is not sane, according to the ordinary standard of the mind.”

We had all known from the paper of the suspicion that rested on Benoni’s sanity, yet somehow there was a little murmur in the room when the old count so clearly stated his opinion.

“That does not, however, alter the position in the least,” continued Lira, “for you knew nothing of this at the time I desired you to marry him, and I should have found it out soon enough to prevent mischief.  Instead of trusting to my judgment you took the law into your own hands, like a most unnatural daughter, as you are, and disappeared in the night with a man whom I consider totally unfit for you, however superior,” he added, glancing at Nino, “he may have proved himself in his own rank of life.”

Nino could not hold his tongue any longer.  It seemed absurd that there should be a battle of words when all the realities of the affair were accomplished facts; but for his life he could not help speaking.

“Sir,” he said, addressing Lira, “I rejoice that this opportunity is given me of once more speaking clearly to you.  Months ago, when I was betrayed into a piece of rash violence, for which I at once apologised to you, I told you under somewhat peculiar circumstances that I would yet marry your daughter, if she would have me.  I stand here to-day with her by my side, my wedded wife, to tell you that I have kept my word, and that she is mine by her own free consent.  Have you any cause to show why she is not my wedded wife?  If so, show it.  But I will not let you stand there and say bitter and undeserved things to this same wife of mine, abusing the name of father and the terms ‘authority’ and ‘love,’ forsooth!  And if you wish to take vengeance on me personally, do so if you can.  I will not fight duels with you now, as I was ready to do the day before yesterday.  For then—­so short a time ago—­I had but offered her my life, and so that I gave it for her I cared not how nor when.  But now she has taken me for hers, and I have no more right to let you kill me than I have to kill myself, seeing that she and I are one.  Therefore, good sir, if you have words of conciliation to speak, speak them; but if you would only tell her harsh and cruel things, I say you shall not!”

As Nino uttered these hot words in good, plain Italian, they had a bold and honest sound of strength that was glorious to hear.  A weaker man than the old count would have fallen into a fury of rage, and perhaps would have done some foolish violence.  But he stood silent, eying his antagonist coolly, and when the words were spoken he answered.