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Updated: June 27, 2025
Nothing disturbed the regularity and discipline of his daily habits; and vigilant Scandal, though she sought often to surprise him, sought always in vain. Such was Father Rocco's life from the period of his niece's death to Fabio's return to Pisa. As a matter of course, the priest was one of the first to call at the palace and welcome the young nobleman back.
I don't wish to threaten but money I must have. I mention the sum of two hundred scudi, because that is the exact amount offered in the public handbills by Count Fabio's friends for the discovery of the woman who wore the yellow mask at the Marquis Melani's ball.
If all the property which Fabio's ancestors wrongfully obtained from the Church were restored to the Church to-morrow, not one paulo of it would go into my pocket. I am a poor priest now, and to the end of my days shall remain so. You soldiers of the world, brother, fight for your pay; I am a soldier of the Church, and I fight for my cause."
Dressed in travelling attire, he was sitting in an arm-chair, but appeared as much of a corpse as at Fabio's first visit. The petrified head had fallen against the back of the chair, the hands lay flat, motionless, and yellow on the knees. His breast did not heave.
'He is gone? Valeria said suddenly. Fabio shuddered. 'How gone? Do you mean ... 'Is he gone away? she continued. A load fell from Fabio's heart. 'Not yet; but he is going to-day. 'And I shall never, never see him again? 'Never. 'And these dreams will not come again? 'No. Valeria again heaved a sigh of relief; a blissful smile once more appeared on her lips.
"Shall I call her?" "No, no!" returned Luca. He stopped, looked round at the workmen, who were chipping away mechanically at their bit of drapery; then advanced close to the priest, with a cunning smile, and continued in a whisper, "If Maddalena can only get from Fabio's room here to Fabio's palace over the way, on the Arno come, come, Rocco! don't shake your head.
The husband and wife exchanged a long, significant look. "Is he already dead?" said Valeria suddenly. Fabio shuddered. "What ... he is not? Didst thou.... Has he gone away?" she went on. Fabio's heart was relieved. "Not yet; but he is going away to-day." "And I shall never, never see him again?" "Never." "And those visions will not be repeated?" "No."
She stopped at that last word, and pointed suddenly over Fabio's shoulder. "The Yellow Mask!" she exclaimed. "Oh, sir, draw her away into the ballroom, and give Nanina a chance of getting out!" Fabio turned directly, and approached the Mask, who, as they looked at each other, slowly retreated before him.
"I confess I have fancied so once or twice," he returned, musingly; "there is rather a disagreeable resemblance. But what of that? many men are almost counterparts of each other. But I tell you what I think. I am almost positive he is some long-lost relation of the family Fabio's uncle for all we know, who does not wish to declare his actual relationship.
He knew Don Fabio's Face, for Aurelian had shewn him his Father at the Tilting; but being confident he was not known to him, he ventur'd to ask him concerning a Lady whom just now he had left in that Chamber.
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