human
And is it possible, Signor Fortini, that you do really in your own heart believe me to be guilty of this deed?
gpt
What is more to the purpose, unfortunately, is that it does not signify a straw whether I believe it or not. You will not be judged, Signor Marchese, by my belief; and I am very sure what those who have to judge you will believe. I have some experience of these matters. I know the courts. I see the exceeding difficulty of believing anything else as to this death than that it was done by your hands; by you, who had the opportunity and the motive, whereas, it is impossible to suggest any semblance of such motive on the part of any other human being; by you, in whose company she was last seen alive. She had valuable ornaments about her person. If you had removed them it would, at least, have left it open to the magistrates to attribute the deed to another motive, and to other hands. I see all this. I see the whole case before me; and, I tell you, that your only chance is to escape while it is yet time.
human
My solemn assertion, then, produces no effect on your mind, Signor Fortini?
gpt
Signor Marchese, said the lawyer, with an impatient shake of the head,
human
Signor Fortini, I cannot avail myself of them. I have made up my mind I will not add another such damning ground of suspicion against me. Here I will remain to answer, as best I can, all the accusations that may be brought against me. I will not fly.
gpt
A bad business, he said,
human
Will you carry your kindness yet one step further, Signor Fortini, and, despite my rejection of your first advice, tell me what you think I had better first do now immediately, I mean--on the supposition that I am determined to remain in the city?
gpt
I think, said the lawyer, after a pause for consideration,
human
That, then, I will do, returned the Marchese.
gpt
I thank you, Signor Fortini, for the advice which I can follow, and not less for that which I cannot follow. Good-evening.
human
Good-evening, Signor Marchese. I hope it may be better with you than I fear. And, of course, if you need me, as you will, you will summon me, and I will not fail to be with you within a few minutes of your call.
gpt
Thanks, Signor Fortini. Addio.
human
One word more, Signor Marchese, before you go. When you uncovered the face of the woman lying dead yonder you exclaimed, 'Paolina!' What was the thought that led you to do so? You could not have mistaken the identity? Of course, you know that I question you only in your own interest?
gpt
You did. On seeing the face you exclaimed, 'Paolina mia!'--so much so, that I felt no doubt that it was this Paolina who lay dead there. What was it moved you to that exclamation?
human
I don't know. I can't tell. I was very anxious about Paolina. The thought of her was uppermost in my mind, I suppose.
gpt
Humph!