He is an early man in general, lo zio; but he has
not been well latterly. You must have seen yourself, Signorina, how
changed he is since you have known him. I really begin to be uneasy
about him. You must surely have observed how ill he is looking."
"I am so grieved to hear you say so. Of course any change must be
far more evident to those who have known him all his life. But I
should have said that I had rarely or never seen so remarkably
young-looking a man for his years. The Marchese happened to tell me
once that he is fifty or not far from it. It seemed to me impossible
to believe it," said Bianca, who understood perfectly well how and
why it came to pass that the Marchese should latterly be a changed
man.
"Three months ago he might have well passed for five-and-thirty;
but, per Bacco, he looks his years now every day of them--and more,
too, il povero zio."
"Nay, Signor Ludovico, I think your regard for your uncle makes you
think him worse than he is. I thought he was looking very well at
the theatre last night," replied Bianca, knowing nothing more to the
purpose to say.
"At the theatre. Ah! perhaps. He was pleased and excited. I did not
specially remark him last night. But, the truth is, I am not easy
about him."
"I feel very much persuaded, Signor Ludovico, that you are alarming
yourself unnecessarily.
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