And now, my child," he
continued, addressing Nanina, "you can go home, and one of the
men-servants shall see you safe to your own door, in case that
woman should still be lurking about the palace. Stop! you are
leaving the bag of scudi behind you."
"I can't take it, sir."
"And why not?"
"_She_ would have taken money!" Saying those words, Nanina
reddened, and looked toward the door.
The doctor glanced approvingly at D'Arbino. "Well, well, we won't
argue about that now," he said. "I will lock up the money with
the mask for to-day. Come here to-morrow morning as usual, my
dear. By that time I shall have made up my mind on the right
means for breaking your discovery to Count Fabio. Only let us
proceed slowly and cautiously, and I answer for success."
CHAPTER VII.
The next morning, among the first visitors at the Ascoli Palace
was the master-sculptor, Luca Lomi. He seemed, as the servants
thought, agitated, and said he was especially desirous of seeing
Count Fabio. On being informed that this was impossible, he
reflected a little, and then inquired if the medical attendant of
the count was at the palace, and could be spoken with. Both
questions were answered in the affirmative, and he was ushered
into the doctor's presence.
"I know not how to preface what I want to say," Luca began,
looking about him confusedly. "May I ask you, in the first place,
if the work-girl named Nanina was here yesterday?"
"She was," said the doctor.
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