“Do you think that, Fortini? do you think that likely?” said the Marchese, with a quickly withdrawn anxious look into the lawyer’s face.

“No, frankly, I do not think it likely.  I fear that it is very certain that his hand is the guilty one.  Nevertheless, it may be—­it is difficult to say—­it may be.  At all events, it is always time enough to abandon hope.  I must leave you now, Signor Marchese; I will see you again to-morrow morning.”

“Many, many thanks, my good Signor Giovacchino.  Do not forget to come.  Remember how dreadfully anxious I must be to hear what passes:  above all, the result of the medical examination—­specially the result of the medical examination.”

“I will not fail to come.  I miei saluti, Signor Marchese.”

CHAPTER V

Doubts and Possibilities

Ix passing through the hall of the Palazzo the lawyer, who was well acquainted with every servant in the house, took an opportunity of speaking a few words to the Marchese’s old valet, Nanni.

“The Marchese seems to have been a little overtired when he came back from the ball this morning, Nanni; and then this is a sad affair about the Marchese Ludovico.”

“Ahi, misericordia!  To think that I should live to hear of a Castelmare arrested in Ravenna.  The world is coming to an end, I think, Signor Giovacchino.”

“Vexing enough; but not so bad as all that, I hope.  No doubt Signor Ludovico will be able to clear himself before long.”

“Clear himself!” re-echoed the old servant, very indignantly; “that’s just what they say when some poor devil of the popolaccio is at odds with the police.  The Marchese di Castelmare clear himself!  Well, I’ve lived to see a many things, but I never thought to see the day that such people should dare to meddle with a Castelmare.”

“The Marchese Ludovico himself thought fit to go to them to give explanations.”

“Ah!  He’d have done better to take no notice of ’em, to my thinking,” said the old man, shaking his head.  “But is it true, Signor Giovacchino, what people say, that—?”

“There is mostly very little truth in what people say, Nanni,” interrupted the lawyer.  “But I’ll tell you what:  a good servant should hear all and repeat nothing.  It’s natural that such an old friend as you should want to know all about it, and to you I shan’t mind telling the whole story as soon as I know the rights of it myself.  But it vexes me to see the Marchese so put out about it; and then I don’t think he has been quite well latterly.”

“Nothing like well, these days past, Signor Giovacchino.  The Marchese has not been like himself noways.  I think he is far from well.”

“Does he get his rest at night?  That is a great thing at his time of life.  He seems to me like a man who has not had his natural sleep.  I suppose he went to bed when he came home from the ball?”