"YOU understand all right," said Benham. "Da me il argento per il
carozzo. Subito?" *
* "Give me back the money for the carriage. QUICKLY!"
The landlord was understood to ask whether the signor no longer
wished for the carriage.
"SUBITO!" cried Benham, and giving way to a long-restrained impulse
seized the padrone by the collar of his coat and shook him
vigorously.
There were dissuasive noises from the company, but no attempt at
rescue. Benham released his hold.
"Adesso!" said Benham. *
* "NOW!"
The landlord decided to disgorge. It was at any rate a comfort that
the beautiful lady was not seeing anything of this. And he could
explain afterwards to his friends that the Englishman was clearly a
lunatic, deserving pity rather than punishment. He made some sound
of protest, but attempted no delay in refunding the money Benham had
prepaid. Outside sounded the wheels of the returning carriage.
They stopped. Amanda appeared in the doorway and discovered Benham
dominant.
He was a little short of breath, and as she came in he was
addressing the landlord with much earnestness in the following
compact sentences.
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