If any one inquires for me, tell them that
I am gone to the Ascoli Palace." Saying this, he walked to the
door; then returned, and trying the lock of his cabinet,
satisfied himself that it was properly secured; then went out.
He found Fabio in one of the large drawing-rooms of the palace,
walking irritably backward and forward, with several little notes
crumpled together in his hands, and a plain black domino dress
for the masquerade of the ensuing night spread out on one of the
tables.
"I was just going to write to you," said the young man, abruptly,
"when I received your letter. You offer me a renewal of our
friendship, and I accept the offer. I have no doubt those
references of yours, when we last met, to the subject of second
marriages were well meant, but they irritated me; and, speaking
under that irritation, I said words that I had better not have
spoken. If I pained you, I am sorry for it. Wait! pardon me for
one moment. I have not quite done yet. It seems that you are by
no means the only person in Pisa to whom the question of my
possibly marrying again appears to have presented itself. Ever
since it was known that I intended to renew my intercourse with
society at the ball to-morrow night, I have been persecuted by
anonymous letters--infamous letters, written from some motive
which it is impossible for me to understand. I want your advice
on the best means of discovering the writers; and I have also a
very important question to ask you.
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