A bright ray of sunshine was streaming in at the large window, and
flooding half the room with its comfortable warmth and cheerful
light. But the Marchese, though he held a scaldino (a little
earthenware pot filled with burning braise) in his hand, and was
apparently shivering with cold, sat in his large library-chair,
drawn into the darkest corner of the room, cowering over this
scaldino, which be held between his knees. He jumped up from his
seat, however, to receive his visitor with an air, one would have
said, of having been startled by his entrance.
"It is kind of you to come to me so quickly, Signor Giovacchino," he
said; and then turning angrily to the servant, who was leaving the
room, added in a cross and irritable voice, very unlike his usual
manner, "Why are not those persiane shut? Close them directly, and
then begone--quick!"
The man, with a startled look, did as he was bid; and the heavy
wooden jalousies thus shut reduced the room to comparative darkness.
"I am afraid I find you very far from well, Signor Marchese. Would
not a little sun be pleasant this bright morning? the air is quite
fresh despite the sunshine."
"I don't like the sun indoors! I don't know how my rascals came to
leave the persiane open."
"I thought you seemed cold, Signor Marchese," said the lawyer,
kindly.
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