Valdarno's answer was inaudible, but Donna Tullia ceased laughing immediately.
"They are talking politics," said Del Ferice in a low voice, leaning towards Giovanni as he spoke.

The latter shrugged his shoulders and went on smoking.

He did not care to be drawn into a conversation with Del Ferice.
Del Ferice was a man who was suspected of revolutionary sympathies by the authorities in Rome, but who was not feared.

He was therefore allowed to live his life much as he pleased, though he was conscious from time to time that he was watched.

Being a man, however, who under all circumstances pursued his own interests with more attention than he bestowed on those of any party, he did not pretend to attach any importance to the distinction of being occasionally followed by a spy, as a more foolish man might have done.