"Are all men bad, as a rule ?" "Perhaps," answered the Sicilian, shortly.

"At all events, Gianluca was not.

One saw that all the little that was bad in his life was only a jest, while all the much that was good was real and true." "You are indeed his friend," said Veronica, softly.
She was struck by the beauty of what the man had said so plainly and unaffectedly.
"Yes, I am his friend," replied Taquisara.

"One of his friends, say,--for he has many.

I am his friend as you are the friend of Donna Bianca.