"I am exceeding well to-day and all the better for
our delightful dinner of last night. For nobody less than dear Peter
would I ever sink to pretend anything: it is contrary to my nature
and disposition so to do. But since I have his word that to-day
light is going to be thrown upon all this doubt and darkness I must
possess my soul in patience, Brendon. There are dreadful fears in
Peter's mind. I have never known him to be suspicious of good people
before. He will not let me eat and drink in my own house to-day!
That is as much as to say that I have enemies within my gates. What
could be more distressing?"
"A precaution."
"Suspicion is inconceivably painful to me. I will not harbour
suspicion. When suspicion dawns in my mind, I instantly throw over
the cause of the suspicion. If it is a book, however precious it may
be, I drop it once for all. I will not be tormented by doubts or
suspicions. In this house are Assunta and Ernesto, my niece and her
husband. To suspect any of those excellent and honourable people is
abominable and I am quite incapable of doing so.
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