"Stop your foolish jesting, Julio. A man does not kill another without finding out with whom he is dealing." "Do you think so, signor? Why, if five or six men were to take me by surprise, not one would be left alive." "You speak as if the life of a man were of no more value than that of a bird." "Less, signor; it is not worth a farthing." "We will have proof of this," said Simon, in a peculiar tone, as he turned towards the door. "For years I have heard you boasting; this evening I will discover what you are--a brave man or a coward." Julio drew himself to his full height, put his arms akimbo, and was about to speak, but his master prevented him. "No useless words!" said Simon, imperiously, "Light the lamp, and come to my bed-room." He left the room without making any inquiry in regard to the chair, and ascended a winding staircase. Opening the door of a large room, he threw himself upon a chair, and rubbed his brow with his hands like a man tormented by painful thoughts. After awhile his hands fell upon his knees, and his eyes wandering in feverish agitation through the dim twilight, he muttered: "At last it is decided! the murder of a friend! He my friend? He is my mortal enemy! Has he not deprived me of Mary's love? Has he not destroyed all my hopes? Has he not devoted me to eternal infamy? His uncle has consented; he will become his partner, the proprietor of an immense fortune, the husband of Mary--of Mary, who was destined by her father to be my wife! He will be powerful, rich, and happy; he will be surrounded by every luxury; he will astonish the world by the magnificence of his style of living, and from the pinnacle of his grandeur he will cast an eye of lawful pride upon Turchi dishonored and ruined! Miserable dog that I am! Deodati will discover that I owe him ten thousand crowns. He will appeal to the courts of justice, and I will be condemned as a rogue; they will discover that I have spent more than I possessed. Outraged, despised, mocked, shall I fall forever into the abyss of misery and infamy? No, no; let him die! His death alone can save me. If he perishes as I have planned, I no longer owe him the ten thousand crowns; Mary becomes my wife, and I am master of her dowry. In that case I am still the powerful, honored chief of the house of Buonvisi! But time presses; to-morrow it may be too late! I hear Julio coming. Upon him rests all my hope." The servant entered and placed a lighted candle upon the table. "Now, signor," he said, "to what trial do you wish to subject my courage? However difficult it may be, it will not be beyond my strength." "Close the blinds; lower the windows," said Turchi; "sit down and listen attentively to my words. I am about to talk to you of an important affair." The red-haired man regarded his master with a malicious and incredulous smile, but he took the seat indicated to him without a word of comment.