Pietro Ghisleri

borne the severe Lenten mortification implied in not capering nightly to the tune of two or three fiddles and a piano, the world arose after Easter like a giant refreshed with wine, a

, and that he spent the few hours he could spare from this unwholesome exercise and from his parliamentary duties in tearing out his hair by the handful. The picture of dell' Armi evoked by these stories was striking, dramatic, and somewhat novel, so that every one was delighted. As a matter of fact, the Count did not care a straw for his wife, rarely saw her at all, and then only to discuss the weather. He had married her in order that her fortune might help him in his political career, he had got what he wanted, and he was supremely indifferent to the rest. The sad part of the matter was-if any one had known the truth-that poor Maddalena dell' Armi had been married out of a convent, and had then and there fallen madly in love with him, he

ssa met the world that evening with a stony stare. There was endless matter for speculation, and accordingly the world speculated without end, and, as usual, to no purpose. Ghisleri was absolutely reticent, and Maddalena was a very proud woman, who, in spite of her past sufferings, did her best not to let any one suspect that she and her husband were on bad terms. She was also unhappy in the pr

painful. Donna Maria's story was revolting to her, for just then everything and everybody seemed to be false-even Ghisleri. She did not even stop, as she would have done at any other time, to weigh the value of the story, and to ask herself whether it were likely that he could thus deliberately betray his friend, and especially t

Adele Savelli about your friend Arden?" she as

indifferently. "We were talking

" asked the Contessa, her eyes hardeni

her all the details of the conversation as far as he could remember the

?" asked the Contessa when

truth, it might be a

time? You would not change colour, nor look at me less frankly, if you we

her, as a general rule, you mean to believe me in future, or not. If you do not,

now, if your story were true," said

ed at being called a liar even

e the least trouble

nce any more than my plain statement? You have

with me? You will succeed

s. I should be very sorry to quarrel with you.

u say it, and from the way

ery unbelieving

reason

the

said it, but for the moment she felt that it

ny questions which I have answered as well as I could,

ht into his eyes, "that your friend Lord Herbert Arden is in the h

ned, and the blood th

s-if you have any sense of justice left, which I begin to doubt, you will ask San Giacinto whether

testify to your character, and say that the thing is improbable. Of

hing more if he choose

nothing you will remind me of that word, and say that he did not choose. How

uld think so," said

. It does not increase my self-resp

supposed, he had been deeply wounded by her words and tone, so deeply indeed that he scarcely wished to meet her for the present. The world did not fail to see the coldness that had come between them, and laughed heartily over it. The Contessa, said the world, thought that the way to keep Ghisleri was to

ly for a moment, bent his heavy black brows, and then told her the story of what had taken place at the club. He, who saw most things, and talked little of them, noted the gradual change in her face, and how the light came back to it while he was sp

Maddalena dell' Armi had abandoned her foolish plan of trying to attra

when the Contessa spoke to him on the subject. "That sort of thing is a disease of

sighed Maddalena. "I wonder

answered Pietr

re de' Ghisleri would be at once a beautiful and an economical retreat for the summer months. Though he had a reputation for extravagance and for living always a little beyond his income, he was in reality increasing his property. He was constantly buying small bits of land in the neighbourhood of his castle, with a vague idea that he might ultimately get the old estate together again. He generally bought on mortgage, binding himself to pay at a certain date, and as he was a very honourable man in all financial transactions, he invariably paid, though sometimes at considerable sacrifice. He said to himself that unless he were bound he would inevitably throw away the little money he had to spare. It was a curiously practical trait in such an unruly and almost lawless character, but he did such things when he could, and then thought no more about them until a fresh opportunity presented itself. He was a man whose life and whole power

sitive spots in his complicated nature which inanimate things had power to touch keenly and thrill again with pain or pleasure. There was much that was sad, indeed, in these recollections, but there were also many memories dear and tender and almost free from the sting of self-reproach. He was not one to crave excitement for its own sake, nor to miss it when it was past. It often chanced, indeed, that he could find the few things that pleased him, the few people he liked, in the midst of the world's noisiest fair, but he w

herly interest in their doings. Then he heard that they were in England, and at last, when he had made up his mind to go away for a month or two, he learned that Arden was in bad health. He was distressed by the news, and wished he could see his old friend, if only for a day, to judge for himself of his condition. But that was impossible at p

the Ardens were already installed in the Tempietto. The Savelli couple were still out of to

supposed to care spent at least one sleepless night, turning over in his mind the various possibilities of life and death. On the following morning at twelve o'clock, he climbed the

he usually was when in good health. He took the seat she pointed to, by the open fire, and stared into the flames absently for s

ut your husband, Lad

he other side of the fireplace. But she said nothing. She could not den

do not think there is any very serious reason for anticipating danger. I ha

re was a frightened look in her face as though she feared something unexpected

orgive me if I seem officious. I do not love him as you do, of course, but we have

ed Laura, in a disappointed tone. "

er liked any man as much as I like him. That is why I come to you to-day. Do you not think that

think he is a really great authority. I am afraid that anything like a consultation might alarm Herbert. I

e a consultation. Will you

st inexplicable, timid dislike of him with which she had

lf?" she asked abruptly. "I

ly cold, and his eyes fix

e said. "Have you any particular reason fo

ught, and it was hard to answer the question truthfully, for she was not really sure whether she

after a short pause. "It is only that it seems more natural, as I said, that I

at first, if I have seemed officious. I wil

with him, and Arden consented without much apparent reluctance to being examined by a man who had a great reputation. The latter took a long time before he gave an opinion, and ultimately declared to Laura that her husband was consumptive and would probably not live a year. Laura suff

ays very careful," said

uickly and leave the room, but she could not. Suddenly the passionate tears broke out,

my love,-my lo

e loved him less, she could have kept t

black hair with his transparent hand. "You must not belie

e knew no bounds. In spite of his courage, Arden lost heart. The next time G

d you?" asked Ghisle

, and his friend knew that he wa

ot to speak-never to speak, even to my wife, of what I am going to say-especia

ak of it," replie

thought, but I could not help guessing it. You know how truthful my wife is-she could not deny it when I put the ques

ed Ghisleri, with unusual heat. "You are

eak enough to cling to my life, such as it is. But there is something else, Ghisleri. I knew I was ill, and I knew there was danger-but this is

unsteady for a moment. His face twitched nervously, and his hands were s

e such mistakes. Consumptive people do not behave as you do. They always feel that they are getting well, until th

y," objected Arden, though he co

lp that. He

n Paris, to come if possible at once, no matter at what sacrifice of money. Fort

iend," said the latter. "I have begged

gged permission to introduce him. He might amuse Arden, he said. He did not mention the doctor's profession. It was just possible that

on he admitted that he had studied medicine, and then went on to talk about the latest news from Paris, social, artisti

he next day? They would, with plea

alked towards the Pincio in the e

t man. "I believe it is a trouble of the

ersonal influence, or whether Arden was really momentarily better, s

him, and it is very foolish-but I fancy that if he were a doctor, he might

ed at him

red. "Shall I ask Signor Ghisleri, if, as a

uch to ask o

she said quietly. In her own r

Ghisleri's friend, that she believed it might make a difference if, as a doctor-s

to the Tempietto, and with many protestations of incompetence did as he was request

come strong," he said, after a very long and thorough exam

sleri remained alone together for a moment afterwar

it was to please Herbert. The man says t

y on the subject," answered Ghisler

surprise, and at the same t

she asked, in

, Lady Herbert? As he was here, I thought you might like to see him." G

dness to me," she said, and the tears were almost in her eyes. "It is you who

med Ghisleri. "It

he had done, cost money, and that year Ghisleri did not buy the bit of lan