"I am only a servant, after all," answered Zorzi, with unnecessary
bitterness. "Why should you not insult your servants, if you please? It
would be quite natural."
"Would it? Even if you were really a servant?"
"It seems quite natural to you that I should betray your father's
confidence. I do not see much difference between taking it for granted
that a man is a traitor and offering him money to act as one."
"No," said Marietta, smelling the rose from time to time as she spoke,
"there is not much difference. But I did not mean to hurt your
feelings."
"You did not realise that I could have any, I fancy," retorted Zorzi,
still angry.
"Perhaps I did not understand that you would consider what my father was
telling you in the same light as a secret of the art," said Marietta
slowly, "nor that you would look upon what I meant to offer you as a
bribe. The matter concerned me, did it not?"
"Your name was not spoken. I have fastened the branch. Is there anything
else for me to do?"
"Have you no curiosity to know what I would have given you?" asked
Marietta.
"I should be ashamed to want anything at such a price," returned Zorzi
proudly.
"You hold your honour high, even in trifles."
"It is all I have--my honour and my art.
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