"
The lady bowed, looked at her informant very intently and
thoughtfully for a moment, then suddenly walked away without
uttering a word.
"A curious woman," thought the steward, entering the palace. "I
must ask Number Thirty about her to-morrow."
CHAPTER II.
The death of Maddalena d'Ascoli produced a complete change in the
lives of her father and her uncle. After the first shock of the
bereavement was over, Luca Lomi declared that it would be
impossible for him to work in his studio again--for some time to
come at least--after the death of the beloved daughter, with whom
every corner of it was now so sadly and closely associated. He
accordingly accepted an engagement to assist in restoring several
newly discovered works of ancient sculpture at Naples, and set
forth for that city, leaving the care of his work-rooms at Pisa
entirely to his
brother.
On the master-sculptor's departure, Father Rocco caused the
statues and busts to be carefully enveloped in linen cloths,
locked the studio doors, and, to the astonishment of all who knew
of his former industry and dexterity as a sculptor, never
approached the place again. His clerical duties he performed with
the same assiduity as ever; but he went out less than had been
his custom hitherto to the houses of his friends. His most
regular visits were to the Ascoli Palace, to inquire at the
porter's lodge after the health of Maddalena's child, who was
always reported to be thriving admirably under the care of the
best nurses that could be found in Pisa.
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