"No, no! I saw him that night. I saw him again to-night."
"It cannot be."
"That is what I have said," concurred Vittoria, with strange eagerness.
"No, no--it would be too dreadful."
Mystified and offended, Blake defended his statement forcibly. "Believe
it or not, as you please, it is true. That night in Sicily he came
among the brigands who held me prisoner. They were talking excitedly.
He cried, 'Silenzio!' in a voice I can never forget. To-night he was
gambling, and he lost heavily. He was furious; his friends began to
chatter, and he cried that word again! I would know it a thousand years
hence. I saw it all in a flash. I saw other things I had failed to
grasp--his size, his appearance. I tell you he is Belisario Cardi."
"God help me!" whispered the daughter of Ferara, crossing herself with
uncertain hand. She was staring affrightedly at Vittoria. "God help
me!" She kept repeating the words and gesture.
Blake turned inquiringly to the other woman and read the truth in her
eyes.
"Good Lord!" he cried. "He is her--"