"
"You are very polite, Signor Dottore, I am sure," said the old
woman, hesitatingly; for she was alarmed at the idea, which the
lawyer's courtesy had suggested to her cautious mind, that she might
be supposed to be engaging his professional services, and might thus
find herself, before she was aware of it, involved in expenses which
she had no means of meeting, and no intention of incurring; "you are
extremely polite, but--you see, Signor, it is best to speak plainly-
-I am a very poor woman; and I have not the means--and I am sure--
perhaps I ought not to have troubled sua Signoria; but it was the
Contessa Violante who advised me to come to you."
"Indeed; I am beholden to the Signora Contessa Violante. As you say
most judiciously, Signora, it is best to speak quite plainly. With
regard to any professional services, which it might be otherwise in
my power to render you, it is necessary to say at once that I am
engaged in this most unhappy business on the behalf of my old client
and friend the Marchese Ludovico di Castelmare. There can be no
question, therefore, of any professional remuneration to me in the
matter from any other quarter. Anything that may pass between us,"
he continued, perceiving that his visitor had not fully comprehended
what he sought to convey to her, "must be of the nature of private
conversation, and will not entail on you," he added, yet more
plainly with a good-humoured smile, and putting his hand on her
sleeve as he spoke, "any possible expense whatever.
Pages:
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581