The Saracinesca were thought very original and different from other men, because they gave some attention to their estates.  It seemed very like business to try and improve the possessions one had inherited or acquired by marriage, and business was degradation.  Nevertheless, the Saracinesca were strong enough to laugh at other people’s scruples, and did what seemed best in their own eyes without troubling themselves to ask what the world thought.  But the care of such matters was not enough to occupy Giovanni all day.  He had much time on his hands, for he was an active man, who slept little and rarely needed rest.  Formerly he had been used to disappear from Rome periodically, making long journeys, generally ending in shooting expeditions in some half-explored country.  That was in the days before his marriage, and his wanderings had assuredly done him no harm.  He had seen much of the world not usually seen by men of his class and prejudices, and the acquaintance he had thus got with things and people was a source of great satisfaction to him.  But the time had come to give up all this.  He was now not only married and settled in his own home, but moreover he loved his wife with his whole heart, and these facts were serious obstacles against roughing it in Norway, Canada, or Transylvania.  To travel with Corona and little Orsino seemed a very different matter from travelling with Corona alone.  Then there was his father’s growing affection for the child, which had to be taken into account in all things.  The four had become inseparable, old Saracinesca, Giovanni, Corona, and the baby.

Now Giovanni did not regret his old liberty.  He knew that he was far happier than he had ever been in his life before.  But there were days when the time hung heavily on his hands and his restless nature craved some kind of action which should bring with it a generous excitement.  This was precisely what he could not find during the months spent in Rome, and so it fell out that he did very much what most young men of his birth found quite sufficient as an employment; he spent a deal of time in strolling where others strolled, in lounging at the club, and in making visits which filled the hours between sunset and dinner.  To him this life was new, and not altogether tasteful; but his friends did not fail to say that Giovanni had been civilised by his marriage with the Astrardente, and was much less reserved than he had formerly been.

When Corona went to see the dressmaker, Giovanni very naturally took his hat and went out of the house.  The September day was warm and bright, and in such weather it was a satisfaction merely to pace the old Roman streets in the autumn sun.  It was too early to meet any of his acquaintance, and too soon in the season for any regular visiting.  He did not know what to do, but allowed himself to enjoy the sunshine and the sweet air.  Presently, the sight of a couple of Zouaves, talking together at the corner of a street, recalled to his mind the accident which had happened to Gouache.  It would be kind to go and see the poor fellow, or, at least, to ask after him.  He had known him for some time and had gradually learned to like him, as most people did who met the gifted artist day after day throughout the gaiety of the winter.