I would not spoil your pleasure by telling you of it, when you first came." "What did he--what did my father say ?" asked Hedwig, presently.
"My dear children," I answered, thinking I might well call them so, "he said a great many unpleasant things, so that I offered to fight him if he said any more." At this they both laid hold of me and began to caress me; and one smoothed my hair, and the other embraced me, so that I was half smothered.
"Dear Signor Grandi," cried Hedwig, anxiously, "how good and brave you are!" She does not know what a coward I am, you see, and I hope she will never find out, for nothing was ever said to me that gave me half so much pleasure as to be called brave by her, the dear child; and if she never finds out she may say it again, some day.

Besides, I really did offer to fight Lira, as I have told you.
"And what is he going to do ?" asked Nino, in some anxiety.
"I do not know.

I told him it was all legal, and that he could not touch you at all.

I also said you were staying at the Hotel Costanzi, where he might find you if he wished." "Oh! Did you tell him that ?" asked Hedwig.
"It was quite right," said Nino.

"He ought to know, of course.