His brother saluted the rest and left the room to go home to his lonely lodgings at the top of an old palace, in the first floor of which dwelt the Cardinal, whom he served as secretary.

When he was gone, Lucia rose silently and went to her room, leaving her father and mother with Gianbattista.

The Signora Pandolfi hesitated as to whether she should follow her daughter or stay with the two men.

Her woman's nature feared further trouble, and visions of drawn knives rose before her swollen eyes, so that, after making as though she would rise twice, she finally remained in her seat, her fat hands resting idly upon her knees, staring at her husband and Gianbattista.

The latter sat gloomily watching the paper on which his master was drawing.
"Marzio, you do not mean it ?" said Maria Luisa, after a long interval of silence.