He is
not well, my uncle. He is deplorably changed since the beginning of
this year. Look at him, as he passes us," he added, as he observed
the Marchese Lamberto approaching the place where they were sitting,
with the white satin domino on his arm.
"He is looking changed and ill, certainly," said Violante, when the
Marchese had passed, apparently without noticing them; "he looks
thin and worn, and yet feverish and excited. Who is the lady on his
arm? She must be very tall."
Many of the assembled company had by this time, like the Contessa
Violante, discarded their masks, finding the heat, which always
results from the use of them, oppressive, and not perceiving that
any further amusement was to be got by retaining them. But the white
domino, leaning on the Marchese's arm, still retained hers. It is
not likely that Bianca herself could have had any objection to its
being seen by all Ravenna that she monopolized the attention of the
Marchese during the entire evening. And it is therefore probable
that she had retained her disguise in compliance with some hint
given to that effect by the Marchese Lamberto.
"I take it it must be La Lalli, the prima donna. I know she is here
to-night and in a white domino, though I have not yet spoken to her.
I am afraid my uncle must be tired and bored with her.
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