“You are doubtless surprised, sir, that I should be thus overcome,” she said. “But I am very unwell. I was on my way to the theater to tell the director I could not appear, in consequence of sudden illness. My nerves are overstrained. The subject of my marriage with the gentleman you name is a distressing one to me, and one upon which I cannot enter without painful emotion. Of the other person about whom you spoke I know nothing. I have never heard his name. The person I have the misfortune to call husband has evidently told you a false story. He has treated me with meanness and cruelty, but I have been generous enough not to betray him. Why does he send you to me?” “Because he thought you might listen to me where you would only laugh in his face.” “What does he want of me? Let him come himself. At this moment, I wish to see him. I have something of paramount importance to tell him.” “You may treat me as his nearest friend and confidant in this matter,” said the young man quietly. “What you would say to him, you can say to me.” “What guarantee have I that you really come from him?” demanded the signora. “Why should I raise a fiction of such a kind? What good could I do myself or others by deceiving you?” “I neither know nor care. With him I will treat--with no other.” “I will tell him so. But you had better hear what I have to say on the part of Captain Desfrayne. Unfortunately, we cannot prove your marriage with this Gilardoni. Pray, madam, may I ask you one question?” “Speak.” “How is it that if, as you declare, you have never until this day heard of Leonardo Gilardoni, his name causes you to shudder violently?” “That is your fancy, sir. I have a slight attack of ague, from which I shiver every now and then,” replied Madam Guiscardini icily. “I do not believe you, Madam Guiscardini; but, as I was saying, we cannot prove your first marriage, because you have stolen the original register, and therefore----” The young woman started from her seat in a kind of frenzy. A moment’s reflection, however, caused her to sink back. “Mr. Amberley,” she said, very calmly, looking him straight in the face with an expression of candor on her own lovely visage, “every one has, I believe, a motive for what they do. You say you come hither to-day in the name of justice. What your object may further be I do not know, as you have not as yet deigned to enlighten me upon the precise nature of the demand you apparently intend making upon me. I am convinced that you, and it may be Captain Desfrayne, are deceived by the concocted story of a man who desires to extort money. I am supposed to be rich--I do not deny that I have a great deal of money: I am therefore regarded as a person to be preyed upon.