“Evidentemente. But it helps suffering to be borne and, later, makes it up; whereas here——!” said the visitor with a sad if inconclusive smile. “If I may speak of myself it’s to me, in my circumstances, a support.”
“That’s good,” she returned a little curtly.
He stood before her, resting his eyes for a moment on the floor. “And the famous Cholto—Godfrey Gerald—does he come no more?”
“I haven’t seen him for months. I know nothing about him.”
“He doesn’t like the chemists and the bookbinders, eh?” asked the Prince.
“Ah it was he who first brought them—to gratify your wife.”
“If they’ve turned him out then that’s very well. Now if only some one could turn them out!”
“Aspetta, aspetta!” said the old woman.
“That’s very good advice, but to follow it isn’t amusing.” Then the Prince added: “You alluded, just now, as to something particular, to quel giovane, the young artisan whom I met in the other house. Is he also still proposed to our admiration, or has he paid the penalty of his crimes?”
“He has paid the penalty, but I don’t know of what. I’ve nothing bad to tell you of him except that I think his star’s on the wane.”