Pagina 547 di 1118

"That is what I thought; I said to myself, the signor our uncle

is the only one who can save the honour of Don Roderick; he has a

thousand means that I know not of: I know that the father

provincial has a great respect for him, and if our uncle should

think that the best thing for this friar would be a change of

air, he can in a few words--"

"Will your lordship leave the care of the business to him to whom

it appertains?" said the count, sharply.

"Ah! that is true," cried Attilio; "am I the man to give advice

to your lordship? But the regard I have for the honour of the

family made me speak. And I am afraid I have committed another

folly," added he, affecting a pensive air: "I am afraid I have

injured Don Roderick in your opinion; I should have no rest if

you doubted Roderick's confidence in you, and submission to your

will. I hope the signor our uncle will believe, that in this

case, it is truly--"