“A curious woman,” thought the steward, entering the palace.  “I must ask Number Thirty about her to-morrow.”

CHAPTER II.

The death of Maddalena d’Ascoli produced a complete change in the lives of her father and her uncle.  After the first shock of the bereavement was over, Luca Lomi declared that it would be impossible for him to work in his studio again—­for some time to come at least—­after the death of the beloved daughter, with whom every corner of it was now so sadly and closely associated.  He accordingly accepted an engagement to assist in restoring several newly discovered works of ancient sculpture at Naples, and set forth for that city, leaving the care of his work-rooms at Pisa entirely to his brother.

On the master-sculptor’s departure, Father Rocco caused the statues and busts to be carefully enveloped in linen cloths, locked the studio doors, and, to the astonishment of all who knew of his former industry and dexterity as a sculptor, never approached the place again.  His clerical duties he performed with the same assiduity as ever; but he went out less than had been his custom hitherto to the houses of his friends.  His most regular visits were to the Ascoli Palace, to inquire at the porter’s lodge after the health of Maddalena’s child, who was always reported to be thriving admirably under the care of the best nurses that could be found in Pisa.  As for any communications with his polite little friend from Florence, they had ceased months ago.  The information—­speedily conveyed to him—­that Nanina was in the service of one of the most respectable ladies in the city seemed to relieve any anxieties which he might otherwise have felt on her account.  He made no attempt to justify himself to her; and only required that his over-courteous little visitor of former days should let him know whenever the girl might happen to leave her new situation.

The admirers of Father Rocco, seeing the alteration in his life, and the increased quietness of his manner, said that, as he was growing older, he was getting more and more above the things of this world.  His enemies (for even Father Rocco had them) did not scruple to assert that the change in him was decidedly for the worse, and that he belonged to the order of men who are most to be distrusted when they become most subdued.  The priest himself paid no attention either to his eulogists or his depreciators.  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.