he must present himself at the Signora
Marchesa's agency in Brescia.' 'And what if he cannot go to
Brescia?' Here Signor Bellini made a gesture that meant, 'That
is your affair.' I replied that it was all right, had coffee
brought for him, and told him I was anxious to purchase the
book-shelves in your old study at Cressogno from the Signora
Marchesa. Bellini turned yellow, and sneaked away like our old
dog Pato at Casa Rigey when he had been stealing.

"Most certainly the worthy Pasotti has had a finger in this
dirty business.

"The Prefect of Caravina was here yesterday and told us that
Pasotti went to Cressogno on the evening of the fourteenth. He
was very late, and reached your grandmother's house while they
were saying the rosary, so he had to mumble the prayers with
the others, which greatly amused the prefect, for it is his
opinion that Pasotti goes to Mass simply because he is an
Imperial and Royal pensioner, but that his only prayer is 'the
rats' Pater,' whatever that may be. He added that after the
others had gone out Pasotti remained in confabulation with your
grandmother, and that Bellini was also present. Bellini had
arrived that very day from Brescia. He probably brought the
money for you.

"We have enough left to live upon until the money comes from
you in October. That is all I wish to say.

"Maria sends you the cyclamen you will find enclosed. I must
also tell you the following incident. You can fancy she notices
the state of mind I am in. She often hears me discussing the
subject with Uncle Piero. The uncle is always the uncle! In his
whole life he has set down as rascals only such contractors as
offered him bribes, and another uncle his exact opposite, who,
after making use of his nephew for many years, died without
leaving him so much as a dried fig. He would never recognise
any other rascals, nor will he do so even now. Well, when I am
talking with him, Maria always wants to listen. I send her
away, but I sometimes fail to notice that she has returned very
softly. This morning she began saying her prayers. Oh, Franco!
your daughter is indeed very religious in your own way! The
last prayer she repeats is a _requiem_ for poor Grandmamma
Teresa. 'Mamma,' said she when she had finished, 'I want to
recite