Luigi had just risen; he greeted Mansana with the deference due to a superior officer, and after both were seated, Mansana began abruptly: "I am leaving this town to-morrow to make ready for my marriage, which is shortly to take place. I mention this that you may not misunderstand my motive in speaking to you as I am about to do. I have, during my short sojourn in this town, conceived a strong friendship for a certain young and guileless girl, by name Amanda Brandini." "Amanda! Yes!" "Amanda is your cousin?" "She is." "I wish to know, is this the only relationship in which you stand to her? In other words, tell me plainly, is it your intention to marry her?" "Well, no! but----" "I ask you this question as one gentleman of another; you are at liberty to withhold your answer at your discretion." "I perfectly understand; but I have no hesitation in repeating that it is not my intention to make Amanda my wife. She--well--she is not rich enough for me." "Very good! Why then, may I ask, do you visit so frequently at her house? And why do you deliberately deceive her as to your intentions and fill her mind with ideas and sentiments which are meaningless, to say the least of it, to you?" "Am I to understand your last remark as a deliberate accusation?" "Undoubtedly; it is a matter of public knowledge that you are a reckless libertine!" "Signor!" exclaimed Luigi, as he rose indignantly. The tall captain also rose to his feet. "It is I," said the latter calmly, "I, Giuseppe Mansana, who make this assertion. I am at your service." But the youthful Luigi Borghi was at an age when the love of life is strong, and he had no fancy for being run through the body by one of the most formidable duellists in the army; so he kept his eyes fixed upon the ground in silence. "Either you must pledge me your word never to enter her house again, nor make any attempt to see her, or you must take the consequences. I intend that this matter shall be settled before I leave. Why do you hesitate?" "Because, as an officer, I object to being compelled to----" "To make a virtuous resolution? You may think yourself fortunate that I make this possible for you." Mansana paused, then added: "But perhaps I have been hasty. I ought first to have given you the chance of complying with my request, and have assured you that in that case you might henceforth regard me as a true and loyal friend." "I deem it an honour to count such a distinguished officer among my friends, and shall in future reckon with pride on the comradeship of Captain Mansana." "Very good! you pledge me your word?" "Yes, I promise this." "I am grateful; your hand upon it." "With all my heart." "Farewell!" "Farewell!"