"I dare that, and much more. I am not a
coward like my brother, you know. I will not tell you the secret till
you promise me something."
"You are trying to sell me what is my own!" he answered angrily. "You
are in league with Zorzi against me, to break off your marriage. But I
will not do it--you shall tell me where the book is--if you refuse, you
shall repent it as long as you live--I will--"
He stopped short in his speech as he met her disdainful look.
"You never threatened me before," she said. "Why do you think that you
can frighten me?"
"Give me what is mine," said the old man angrily. "That is all I demand.
I am not threatening."
"Set me free from Messer Jacopo, and you shall have it," answered
Marietta.
"No. You shall marry him."
"I will not. But I will keep your book until you change your mind, or
else--but no! If I gave it to Zorzi, he is so honourable that he would
bring it back to you without so much as looking into it. I will keep it
for myself. Or I will burn it!"
She felt that if she had been a man, she could not have taken such an
unfair advantage of him; but she was a defenceless girl, fighting for
the liberty of her whole life. That might excuse much, she thought. By
this time Beroviero was very angry; he stalked up and down beside the
furnace, trailing his thin silk gown behind him, stroking his beard with
a quick, impatient movement, and easting fierce glances at Marietta from
time to time.
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