human
The Marchese seems to have been a little overtired when he came back from the ball this morning, Nanni; and then this is a sad affair about the Marchese Ludovico.
gpt
Ahi, misericordia! To think that I should live to hear of a Castelmare arrested in Ravenna. The world is coming to an end, I think, Signor Giovacchino.
human
Vexing enough; but not so bad as all that, I hope. No doubt Signor Ludovico will be able to clear himself before long.
gpt
Clear himself! re-echoed the old servant, very indignantly;
human
The Marchese Ludovico himself thought fit to go to them to give explanations.
gpt
Ah! He'd have done better to take no notice of 'em, to my thinking, said the old man, shaking his head.
human
But is it true, Signor Giovacchino, what people say, that--?
gpt
There is mostly very little truth in what people say, Nanni, interrupted the lawyer.
human
But I'll tell you what: a good servant should hear all and repeat nothing. It's natural that such an old friend as you should want to know all about it, and to you I shan't mind telling the whole story as soon as I know the rights of it myself. But it vexes me to see the Marchese so put out about it; and then I don't think he has been quite well latterly.
gpt
Nothing like well, these days past, Signor Giovacchino. The Marchese has not been like himself noways. I think he is far from well.
human
Does he get his rest at night? That is a great thing at his time of life. He seems to me like a man who has not had his natural sleep. I suppose he went to bed when he came home from the ball?
gpt
Yes, directly. He seemed in a hurry like to get to bed. When he was about half undressed he said it was time I was in bed myself, and sent me away, and I heard him lock the door.
human
Does he generally lock the door at night?
gpt
No; and I knew by that that he meant to have a good sleep, and not be disturbed this morning. So I never went near him till I heard his bell, between ten and eleven o'clock; and when I went he was just getting out of bed, so that he had a matter of six hours' sleep.
human
It don't seem to have done him much good any way, rejoined the lawyer, thinking to himself that the hours during which Nanni supposed his master to have been sleeping, had more probably been spent in restless agitation, the result of bringing his mind to the determination which he had definitely announced to the lawyer, when he had summoned him about an hour after he had risen from his sleepless bed.
gpt
I shall come and see how he is to-morrow morning, the lawyer added;