"Your mother expects you, Vittorio."
"Did you tell her everything?" he asked in a weak, colourless voice.
"Yes, I told her."
"Poor mamma," he murmured to himself.
"Dear, dear Vittorio, start a new life within and without yourself! Sell the old palace and the old park. Pay your debts. Take your mother away with you, and with what is left try some undertaking, create an industry, some work for yourself and others," she said energetically.
"I should require another soul, and another heart," he replied gloomily, with lowered eyes.
"Change your country and your surroundings," she suggested energetically, as if she wished to inject some will into him.
"Perhaps I ought to come to America?" he asked, with a pale, ironical smile.
"Why not? John Clarke would do everything for you."