Then, like all the doctors of Rome, enamoured of the fine thrusts and cuts which day by day they have to dress among chance patients of the lower classes, he complacently lingered over the wound, doubtless regarding it as a clever piece of work, for he ended by saying to the Prince in an undertone: "That's what we call a warning.

The man didn't want to kill, the blow was dealt downwards so that the knife might slip through the flesh without touching the bone.

Ah! a man really needs to be skilful to deal such a stab; it was very neatly done." "Yes, yes," murmured Dario, "he spared me; had he chosen he could have pierced me through." Benedetta did not hear.

Since the doctor had declared the case to be free from danger, and had explained that the fainting fits were due to nervous shock, she had fallen in a chair, quite prostrated.

Gradually, however, some gentle tears coursed from her eyes, bringing relief after her frightful despair, and then, rising to her feet, she came and kissed Dario with mute and passionate delight.
"I say, my dear doctor," resumed the Prince, "it's useless for people to know of this.