At the same moment the
carpenters left off hammering and began to saw. The new sound
from the firework stage was regular and not loud. The voices of
the occupants of the summer-house reached her through it, and she
heard Brigida pronounce the name of Count Fabio.
Instantly stooping down once more by the dog's side, she caught
his muzzle firmly in both her hands. It was the only way to keep
Scarammuccia from growling again, at a time when there was no din
of hammering to prevent him from being heard. Those two words,
"Count Fabio," in the mouth of another woman, excited a jealous
anxiety in her. What could Brigida have to say in connection with
that name? She never came near the Ascoli Palace--what right or
reason could she have to talk of Fabio?
"Did you hear what I said?" she heard Brigida ask, in her
coolest, hardest tone.
"No," the priest answered. "At least, not all of it."
"I will repeat it, then. I asked what had so suddenly determined
you to give up all idea of making any future experiments on the
superstitious fears of Count Fabio?"
"In the first place, the result of the experiment already tried
has been so much more serious than I had anticipated, that I
believe the end I had in view in making it has been answered
already."
"Well; that is not your only reason?"
"Another shock to his mind might be fatal to him. I can use what
I believe to be a justifiable fraud to prevent his marrying
again; but I cannot burden myself with a crime.
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