'Of the first, indeed, I cannot doubt, but I have no certain
means of judging of the latter, and I entreat you will tell me all
you have heard.'
'That I certainly will, but it is very imperfect, and unsatisfactory
information. I gathered it by accident from an Italian, who was
speaking to another person of this Montoni. They were talking of his
marriage; the Italian said, that if he was the person he meant, he
was not likely to make Madame Cheron happy. He proceeded to speak of
him in general terms of dislike, and then gave some particular hints,
concerning his character, that excited my curiosity, and I ventured
to ask him a few questions. He was reserved in his replies, but,
after hesitating for some time, he owned, that he had understood
abroad, that Montoni was a man of desperate fortune and character.
He said something of a castle of Montoni's, situated among the
Apennines, and of some strange circumstances, that might be
mentioned, as to his former mode of life. I pressed him to inform me
further, but I believe the strong interest I felt was visible in my
manner, and alarmed him; for no entreaties could prevail with him to
give any explanation of the circumstances he had alluded to, or to
mention any thing further concerning Montoni.
Pages:
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373