"
"I shall be happy to wait outside if you have private matters to
discuss," said the detective, who wished to show himself worthy of the
Baron's favour, if he could do so without neglecting his duties.
"You are extremely obliging," Volterra said, in a friendly tone.
The detective smiled, bowed and left the room by the door leading
towards the hall.
"It seems to me," the Baroness said, still suppressing her anger, as
she turned her face a little towards Malipieri and spoke at him over
her shoulder, "it seems to me that you might go too."
It was not for Malipieri to resent her tone or words just then, and he
knew it, though he hated her for believing the evidence of her senses
rather than Sabina's story. He made a step towards the door.
"No," Volterra said, without rising, "I think he had better stay, and
hear what we have to say about this. After all, the responsibility for
what has happened falls upon him."
"I should think it did!" cried the Baroness, breaking out at last, in
harsh tones. "You abominable villain, you monster of iniquity, you
snake, you viper--"
"Hush, hush, my dear!" interposed the Baron, realizing vaguely that
his wife's justifiable excitement was showing itself in unjustifiably
vulgar vituperation.
"You toad!" yelled the Baroness, shaking her fist in Malipieri's face.
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