ARTHUR
96

Thought I felt some nervousness, a less haughty and more curious atmosphere, in this woman, upon hearing the name of Clementa . It was momentary, and gave way to the obligatory gaze. "What is your business with him? And why did you adopt this mode of inquiry? What an incredible distraction! Good enough to leave the room. Any questions worth answering will be answered below."

"I don't mean to disturb or offend. It was not the empty or insolent motives that brought me here. I waited downstairs for some time after requesting your audience through the waiter. He assured me that you did not exist, and laid me under the need to search for Clemenza Lodi himself, and without a guide. I was eager to retreat, and asked only to be directed to the room he occupied."

"I'm directing you," he replied, in a more stern tone, "to get out of the room and the house."

"No way, ma'am," I answered, still looking at him earnestly; "leave the house without seeing it! You better have me pull the Andes in my head! walk barefoot to Pekin! Impossible!"

Some attention was now mixed with his anger. "This is a strange insult! irresponsible behavior! get out of my room! will you force me to call you gentlemen?"

"Don't worry," I said, with enhanced gentleness. Indeed, there was compassion and sadness in my heart, and this must have somewhat affected my appearance. "Don't worry. I came to benefit, not to do injuries. I have come not to denounce or refute you, but only to counsel and help beings who need both; all I want is to see them. In this case my room is not looking for you, but him. Just take me to him, or tell me where he is. I'll then remove you from my presence.

"Will you force me to call those who will punish this insult as they should?"

"Dear lady! I'm not forcing you to anything. I was just begging. I'll ask you to take me to these gentlemen, if I don't know that there's no one but women in the house. You are the one who must accept and obey my orders. Let me have a quick interview with Clemenza Lodi. Compliance will not hurt you, but it will benefit you. What's your objection?"

"This is the strangest process! the most unique behavior! Is this a suitable place to negotiate with you? I warn you about the consequences of staying longer. Depending on him, you'll regret it a lot."

"You are stubborn," I said, and turned towards the younger one, who listened to this lecture trembling and panicking. I grabbed her hand with a humble and respectful attitude. "Here," I said, "there seems to be purity, innocence, and humility. I think of this house as an exciting temple. The woman I expected to find in it, but only traded in immoral pleasures; face-to-face, perhaps not lacking in talent, beauty, and address, but depraved and mischievous, he said, sensual and greedy; yet in this face and carelessness there are signs of virtue. I was born to be deceived, and the resemblance of politeness is easily assumed. Under this veil, perhaps, lurks a polluted heart and depraved passions. Really so?”

He gave me no answer, but rather in his appearance it seemed to show that my good prejudices were fair. I also noticed that the elder's alarm was greatly increased with this speech to his friend. A sudden thought arose that this girl might be in a state no different from Clemenza Lodi; that she was unaware of the character of her comrades, and perhaps by this encounter would be saved from similar crimes.

“Who, where, what are you? Do you live in this house? Are you a sister or daughter in this family, or just a guest? Do you know the character, profession, and views of your friends? Do you consider them virtuous? , or know they are extravagant? Speak out! tell me, I beg you!"

The confusion of the girl who had just appeared on this person's face was now somewhat eased. He raised his eyes, and glanced alternately at me and him sitting by his side. A serious mood of astonishment spread across his face, and he seemed to want me to continue. The older one, meanwhile, betrayed supreme vigilance, once again denounced my courage, ordered me to step down, and warned me of the danger I caused from lingering.

I didn't notice the disturbance, but again begged to know his younger true state. He had no time to answer me, had he not desired that tendency, for every pause was filled with the noisy urges and threats of the others. I began to feel that my efforts were useless for this purpose, but the main and most predictable goals were achievable. It is my authority to declare the knowledge I have, in your way, of Mrs Villars and her daughters. This information may be redundant, as he who is given may be one of these unscrupulous families. Rather, however, it is not impossible, and my news, therefore, may be the best moment for his safety.

A resolute and even hasty manner made my unceasing nuisance speechless. What I have to say, I press in a few words, and hold on to sharpness and candor very carefully. I still held the hand I had taken, and looked at his face with fortitude that prevented him from raising his eyes.

"I don't know You; whether You are moral or holy, I don't know. Anyway, what I'm about to say will be useful. Let me faithfully repeat what I have heard. It's just a rumor, and I assure you it's not the truth. Such rumors, I leave to your judgment, and hope that it can lead you down an innocent and honorable path.

"Madam Villars and her three daughters were British women, who for a time supported an unblemished reputation, but were eventually suspected of prostitution trafficking. This secret cannot be hidden forever. One of them, who died under their roof, after they withdrew from it to the country, revealed to his relatives, who attended his deathbed, that they had been killed, their original characters.

"The dying man was also related to an incident where I was very concerned. I have been associated with one name Welbeck. At his house I met a poor girl, who was later transferred to Mrs' house. Villar. Her name is Clemenza Lodi. The residence in this house, under the control of a woman like Mrs Villars and her children, must have damaged her innocence, and from this control I have now come to her rescue."

I turned to the older one, and continued, "With all that being holy, I ask you to tell me if Clemenza Lodi is under this roof! If not, where did he go? To know this I came here, and any difficulty or aversion in answering would be futile; until an answer was obtained, I would not go there.”

During this speech, anger had lit up in this woman's chest. It was now exploding at me in a torrent of derogatory nicknames. I was a criminal, a calumniator, a thief. I have been lurking around the house, until those who*** and its power allowed them to overcome me have left. I have entered these doors with deception. I was a wretched man, guilty of the last excessive humiliation and humiliation.