He must
be carefully prepared for all that we have to tell him; and must
be kept quite in the dark until those preparations are made."
D'Arbino answered the doctor's summons in person; and Nanina
repeated her story to him. He and the doctor remained closeted
together for some time after she had concluded her narrative and
had retired. A little before four o'clock they sent for her again
into the study. The doctor was sitting by the table with a bag of
money before him, and D'Arbino was telling one of the servants
that if a lady called at the palace on the subject of the
handbill which he had circulated, she was to be admitted into the
study immediately.
As the clock struck four Nanina was requested to take possession
of a window-seat, and to wait there until she was summoned. When
she had obeyed, the doctor loosened one of the window-curtains,
to hide her from the view of any one entering the room.
About a quarter of an hour elapsed, and then the door was thrown
open, and Brigida herself was shown into the study. The doctor
bowed, and D'Arbino placed a chair for her. She was perfectly
collected, and thanked them for their politeness with her best
grace.
"I believe I am addressing confidential friends of Count Fabio
d'Ascoli?" Brigida began. "May I ask if you are authorized to act
for the count, in relation to the reward which this handbill
offers?"
The doctor, having examined the handbill, said that the lady was
quite right, and pointed significantly to the bag of money.
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