And I have a good mind to speak to Signor Ludovico at once.

I think it would be the right thing to do,--I do think that would be the most proper thing to do.

The old fool ought to be treated as one non compos!" And then the old lawyer, after spending nearly an hour in such musings, got up and went to his house,--not two minutes' walk from his "studio"-- to his solitary but comfortable two-o'clock dinner.
By the time he had finished his repast, he had made up his mind that he would at once confer with the Marchese Ludovico on the subject of his uncle's disastrous project.

It was by that time nearly half-past three; and Signor Fortini walked out towards the Circolo, having little doubt that he should find Ludovico there at that hour.
But on his way thither he met the man he was in search of in the street.
The young Marchese was walking at a hurried pace, and appeared to be scared, troubled, and heated.

Nothing could be more unlike his usual easy, lounging, poco-curante bearing.