"Bad fellows say so, and I punished one of them lately. Her voice is still first-rate capital, will bring interest for long yet; there is no want of it." "We shall come to want! You are a leech, an outrageous leech! She can hardly pay for her own dress! And, to-day, bad luck again! No sooner are your debts paid than a new demand menaces us. You are a bankrupt every eight days." "I will give up gambling now; I have no luck. But business is hazard, too; the Russian frontier Guards are no joke." "Can you pursue no respectable business?" "Fill a paper bag with _quattrini_, every day another farthing, and lie down to sleep happily when one paper bag is full, and a fresh one can be twisted up--that is not my style! I do business on a large scale, I would live grandly, I must, therefore, risk much! All or nothing--_va banque_! What else can I do with your little honorariums? You have no right to interfere with me; you deceive me, and you especially, little Satan; you rouse her against me, and spin tissues of lies, and persuade her to plead poverty. But I will sweep away the spider's web you have woven, malicious spider that you are, and trample you under foot." The Italian assumed a menacing aspect; Beate kept her hand upon the dagger. "Afraid again? Those little watchful eyes, how well they become you, but I tell you I want money, much money, and she must give it me once more! Could she not save during that couple of years when I lost all traces of her, because I was stationed far away in the interior of Russia, and could not escape from vile ill-luck? Why did she not save? Why does she live like a princess? Probably she is collecting a dowry for you; you are, doubtlessly, a pretty little betrothed; some unhappy being has gone into your net, beguiled by that pretty visage! There is still time to warn him!" "Calumny, vile calumny!" "But I shall hold her fast! Do she not fulfil her duties, I shall appear again, and lay my hand upon her before all the world." "It is on this point that I would speak to you, Baluzzi. There is only one means by which she can still provide for you, even if her talent has failed her." "And that means?" "You must set her free." "How your eyes sparkle, little viper," cried Baluzzi, springing up. "That is a fine plan, probably conceived in this charming little head. Do not give yourselves any trouble, things will remain as they were." "Your own interest--" "Is thus best ensured. Will always be. I have certainty." "There are sufficient grounds for you, according to the laws of this country, if you only will--" "Grounds abundant as flowers in May, as mushrooms after rain; but I stand by the decree of the Church. I am not a subject of this country, and will not become one." "But if we had reasons, proofs--"