A Siren

at-law in th

verbal message to the "studio" of Signor Giovacchino Fortini, "procurators,"-attorney-at-law, as we should say,-re

en for many years, the confidential lawyer of the Castelmare family. And the various business connected with large landed possessions made frequent conferences

generation by the confidence of the Castelmare family. For the lawyer was a much older man than the Marchese, and had been the confidential adviser of his father. And old

ry high standing and consideration they held in the city, and at the same time explained the circumstances under which it had come to pass th

eries of little doors around this cloister gave access, looked as if they must have been miserably damp and unwholesome. But the "Studio Fortini" was not situated in any part of this damp lower floor. In the corner of the cloister nearest to the Cathedral, there was a wide and picturesque old stone staircase, which led to an upper cloister,

ells below. And along the whole length of it on either side, up to the height of the small round arched windows placed high up in the wall, were ranges of shelves occupied by many hundreds of volumes, all of the same size, and all bound alike in parchment, with two r

hree generations of the Fortini. And it would not have been too much to say, that Signor Giovacchino Fortini would have

h was admirably adapted for keeping an eye on the youngsters on the floor below. Under the same ceiling, in the snug little room thus divided off, sat Signor Fortini himself. And a very snug and bright-looking little room it was, with a pretty stone-mullioned three-lighted casement window opening to the south; and in the wall at right angles to it another window, offering accommodation of a much more unusual and peculiar kind. It opened, in fact, into the transept of the cathedral, and had been intended to enable the occupier or occupiers of the apart

hich seemed as if the barber entrusted with the care of it were always two or three days in arrear with his work. By some incomprehensible combination of circumstances it seemed as if Signor For

er, long since past and gone; and Signor Fortini lived only for his law and his artistic and antiquarian collections. He was like many of his peers in the provincial cities of the Papal dominions-a great antiquary and virtuoso. Antiquarianism is a "safe" pursuit u

and it was generally understood that Signor Fortini was a wealthy man. He loudly protested on all occasions that this was a most mistaken notion; but there never occurred an opportunity of adding to his very remarkable collection o

s "studio," instead of summoning him to wait on them. But the Marchese di Castelmare was one of these

and he sent back word that he would be with the Marchese immediately. The fact was he did not like the look of this summons at all. He, too, had observed the un

as led a steady life too; and seemed as likely a man to last as one would wish to look at. I suppose everything will go to the nephew,-legacies to servants, and something, I should not wo

of the Castelmare palace within ten minutes of the time when he had receive

ittle earthenware pot filled with burning braise) in his hand, and was apparently shivering with cold, sat in his large library-chair, drawn into the darkest corner of the room, cowering

ily to the servant, who was leaving the room, added in a cross and irritable voice, very unlike

bid; and the heavy wooden jalousies thus sh

chese. Would not a little sun be pleasant this bright

I don't know how my rascals c

old, Signor Marchese,"

and his teeth chattered as he sai

does so when on

have caught a little cold at the ball last night," rejoine

light, looked hard at his old friend from beneath his great shaggy black e

the same. These things have to be done, you know. And a man does not die a bit the sooner for doing t

e Marchese, with an angry irritability that was totally unlike his usual manner. "I

dy to take your instructions, and will draw up the instrument to-morrow or the next day. Thank God there is no cause for hurry. And that is one

for myself, when I think it right to make my will. I have usually been able to manage my own affairs." He spoke with a degree of anger and petulance,

interfering with your management of them? But did you not se

il told you I wanted to make my will?

y. I thought it a wise thing to do, and so imagined that you were going to do it;

ill at ease. Then resuming his seat, and motioning the lawyer to take a chair, he said-"If you will take a chair, Signor Giovacchino, I will tell you the business for which I h

ng the extremity of his astonishment; and pushing back his chair a cou

shed at in such an intention?" said the March

t one does not expect, you know. You may depend on it, I am not one bit more astonis

save myself for the wisdom of my resolution," said the Marchese,

tion is an important one. You will have to answer for the wis

s I told you, I have considered the ma

your intention has been communicate

the necessary arrangements with regard to matters of property

y that your lordship should mention, what you have not yet confided

erely remark to you, that a man at my time of life may be expected to know his own mind, and has a right to please himself. And bearing these remarks in

y to these preliminary observations before proceeding to tell his secre

e Signora Bianca Lalli;-the lady whose conduct, as well as

and while speaking, and rising abruptly from his chair, took one or two turns across the room befor

e just made to me. There is one, however, which perforce I must make. It is that I must de

ttorneys in Ravenn

ou know right well-as well as I do myself-that at this time of day, I don't care two straws, as a mere matter of gain, whether I continue to be honoured with the transaction of your legal affairs or not. But I do care on other grounds. And I do implore you to believe

awyer had not much expectation that in the present case what he said would be listened to. He spoke more for the discharge of his own conscience, and because the feelings he ex

as you understand it. I have, as I told you, made up my mind upon the subject. Nevertheless, counsel cannot but be useful, and it is well not to be precipitate. I will, therefore, so far accept your advice as to promise you that I will give myself time to deliberate yet further on the s

urther reflection may lead you to change your purpose. Hoping that, I shall, you may depend upon it, breathe no word of what you have said to me to

gnor Fortin

other occasions for now three generations, not only for your lordship, but for the whole of the family. I am the legal adviser of the Marchese Ludovico, as I was his father's, and as I am yours. It is my duty, therefore, as I understand

g so, if you think it your duty. He will, of course, be informed of my intention by myself. Do not forget,

o forget it for a long time to come, I assure

I shall renew my application to you, you may remember that I have had due and sufficient time for reflection. Addio, Si

ssimo Signor March