'
Much agitated, the prelate made answer that a fitting residence
should be prepared for her before noon, and the presbyter Andreas
added that he would instantly betake himself to the city on that
business. Petronilla thanked him with the loftiest humility. For any
lack of respect, or for common courtesy, to which they might be
exposed ere they quitted the villa, she besought their Sanctities
not to hold her responsible, she herself being now an unwilling
intruder at this hearth, and liable at any moment to insult.
Uttering which words in a resonant voice, she turned her eyes to
where, a few yards away, stood Aurelia, with Basil and Decius behind
her.
'Reverend bishop,' spoke a voice not less steady and sonorous than
that of the elder lady, 'should you suffer any discourtesy in my
house, it will come not from me, but from her who suggests its
possibility, and whose mind is bent upon such things. Indeed, she
has already scanted the respect she owes you in uttering these
words. As for herself, remain she here for an hour or for a month,
she is in no danger of insult--unless she deem it an insult to
have her base falsehood flung back at her, and the enmity in her
fierce eyes answered with the scorn it merits.
Pages:
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80