"Well, we shall know all that to-morrow. God grant that the
Professor's report may be a favourable one," said Manutoli, thinking
little of the savageness of his wish as regarded the poor artist.
But, to the mind of the Baron, it was a question between one who was
a fellow-creature of his own, and one who could hardly be considered
such. How was it possible to put in comparison for a moment the
consideration of a fellow-noble of his own city and that of a poor
unknown foreign artist?
"I trust it may; I build much on the fact that there was no
struggle. She was put to death by some means which scarcely allowed
her time to wake from the sleep," returned the lawyer. "You are
going, then, now, Signor Barone, to see this Paolina?"
"Yes; if I find her still up, which I suppose I shall, for it is not
late," said Manutoli, looking at his watch.
"Better be a little cautious in speaking to her, you know; best to
avoid alarming her," said Fortini.
"The express object of my visit to her is to prevent her from being
alarmed," rejoined the Baron.
"Yes; but--what I mean is that--it would be desirable, you see, to
lead her to speak. What we want now is to know exactly what she did
and where she went after seeing the Marchesino and La Bianca in the
bagarino together. Also to ascertain whether she was seen by anybody
to do whatever she did or to go wherever it was she went.
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