The Italian bit his lips with suppressed rage, and seemed too angry
to trust even his voice; but he did not remain long silent.

"Signor Americano," said Petro, warmly, "you have insulted my uncle
and myself by this secret interview with Signora Florinda, and I
demand of you immediate satisfaction for it."

"Signor Petro, I have no cause for contention with you," was the
reply of Carlton. "I know you love not the lady, and you are equally
aware of her feelings towards you. Why then, I ask, should there be
strife between us upon this subject? Surely, you would not seek the
hand of one who does not love you! This is inconsistent, Signor
Petro."

"Do you accept my challenge, or shall I brand you as a coward in the
streets of Florence," was the abrupt and passionate rejoinder. "It
would sound bravely, by our lady, to write coward against the name
you have rendered so popular, sir artist, among the nobilita in
Florence."

"I will have no contention with thee," said Carlton, his feelings
struggling warmly with his determination to avoid the course which
his early education had taught him to regard with the utmost
abhorrence.

"Then I will brand thee as a coward!"

"Until you do that, I shall never fight you," said Carlton, calmly.
"I would rather lose my hand than draw the blood of one related by