No, he shrank from thinking of it.

It was too horrible to be thought of until it should be absolutely necessary.

But the place was a good one.
And then when Paolo was buried deep under the damp stones, who would be the first to ask for him?
For two or three days no one would be much surprised if he did not come to the house.

Marzio would say that he had met him in the street, and that Paolo had excused himself for not coming, on the ground of extreme pressure of work.

But the Cardinal, whom he served as secretary, would ask for the missing man.