'Send him away!' the doctor said sternly.
Outside the door the Marquis and Don Pasqualino chattered in a lively whisper. Bianca Maria looked as if she could hear what her father said outside; at one point she shook her head.
'Do you want that man sent away from the house?'
'Leave him,' she said feebly. 'It would annoy my father.'
Ah! the doctor knew nothing at all. Even now, on coming back to stern realities, he blamed himself for the sad, dark romance coming into his life; but an overmastering feeling entangled him, which he thought was scientific curiosity. Hours were passing, evening was coming on; he had made none of his visits, and he stayed on in that poor aristocratic sick lady's room, as if he could not tear himself away.
'I ought to go,' he said, as if to himself.
'But you will come back?' she asked in a whisper.
'Yes ...' he said, determined to conquer himself and not come back again.
'Do come back!' in a humble voice, beseechingly.
'I am here—just next door. If you are in pain, send for me.'