CHAPTER XVFrancisco did as he had agreed, asking Antonio, when he got back, to tell him why he spoke of Venetia as he did, and promising that, if he said no more than he held for truth, there should be no quarrel thereon.
Having that pledge, Antonio told him enough, or too much, for it confirmed Francisco’s thought that he had confused her with another of a like manner or face, as it is easy for those to do who wander about, seeing many in diverse lands.
“Well,” Antonio said, “if I have, I have done her a great wrong, which I should be glad to regret. But you should ask it of her.”
In the later day, he had Del Monte’s letter, and went to him at once. Here he heard much the same talk that Angelica gave him before.
“Let her tell the truth,” the Commander said, “and, though it stink, I ma
