It
would have taken her a long hour to say this with due propriety
on paper; it would only take her a few minutes to say it with her
own lips. So she put on her mantilla again and departed for the
studio.
On, arriving at the gate and ringing the bell, a thought suddenly
occurred to her, which she wondered had not struck her before.
Was it not possible that she might meet Father Rocco in his
brother's work-room? It was too late to retreat now, but not too
late to ask, before she entered, if the priest was in the studio.
Accordingly, when one of the workmen opened the door to her, she
inquired first, very confusedly and anxiously, for Father Rocco.
Hearing that he was not with his brother then, she went
tranquilly enough to make her apologies to the master-sculptor.
She did not think it necessary to tell him more than that she was
now occupied every day by nursing duties in a sick-room, and that
it was consequently out of her power to attend at the studio.
Luca Lomi expressed, and evidently felt, great disappointment at
her failing him as a model, and tried hard to persuade her that
she might find time enough, if she chose, to sit to him, as well
as to nurse the sick person. The more she resisted his arguments
and entreaties, the more obstinately he reiterated them. He was
dusting his favorite busts and statues, after his long absence,
with a feather-brush when she came in; and he continued this
occupation all the while he was talking--urging a fresh plea to
induce Nanina to reconsider her refusal to sit at every fresh
piece of sculpture he came to, and always receiving the same
resolute apology from her as she slowly followed him down the
studio toward the door.
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