Despite the extreme cold, this owner of a large fortune, and of one
of the finest palaces in Ravenna, was not sitting in an easy-chair
by the fire, as an Englishman might be expected to be found at such
an hour. The Italian's day is not divided into two portions as
clearly as an Englishman's day is divided by his dinner hour into
the time for business or out-door exercise, and the time for
relaxation, for a book or other amusement. He is quite as likely to
apply himself to any business or work of any kind after dinner as
before. Still less has he the Englishman's notion of making himself
comfortable in his home.
There was a miserable morsel of wood fire in the room in which the
Marchese sat; but it was at the far end of it. And in many a well-
to-do Italian home there would have been none at all. In order not
to be absolutely frozen, he sat in a large cloak, and had beside
him, or in his hands, a little earthen-ware pot filled with burning
braize--a scaldino, as it is called,--the use of which is common to
the noble in his palace, and the beggar in the street.
He pointed to a chair near the table, and as he spoke, paid his
visitor the ordinary courtesy of offering him his scaldino.
"My duty, my mere duty, Eccellenza," said Signor Ercole, letting his
cloak fall gracefully from his shoulders, and declining the
proffered pot of braize with an action that might have suited an
Emperor.
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