He hesitated a moment, for he knew Bosio but slightly, after all.
"I do not know whether you will think it strange that I should come," he said, and his square face grew more square as he looked straight at Bosio.

"I am Gianluca della Spina's best friend." "Ah! Yes--I think I have heard so," answered Bosio, not startled, but considerably disturbed, as his gentle eyes met Taquisara's bold glance.
"I have come, as a friend, to ask whether it is really true that you are to marry Donna Veronica Serra," continued Taquisara, feeling that after all he might as well go straight to the point.
Bosio straightened himself a little in his chair, and there was a look of surprise in his face.

But he hesitated an instant, in his turn.
"That was the answer which my brother and his wife gave to the Duca della Spina," he replied coldly.
"Yes," said Taquisara.

"I know it was.

That is the reason why I have come to you, directly, as Gianluca's friend." "Does Don Gianluca propose to call me out, because he cannot marry Donna Veronica ?" asked Bosio, in surprise, and in a tone which showed that he was already offended.
"No.