A Siren

  CHAPTER VII

  An Attorney-at-law in the Papal States

  At a little after twelve o'clock on that same Ash Wednesday morning, aservant in the Castelmare livery brought a verbal message to the"studio" of Signor Giovacchino Fortini, "procurators,"--attorney-at-law,as we should say,--requesting that gentleman to step as far as thePalazzo Castelmare, as the Marchese would be glad to speak with him.

  The message was not one calculated to excite any surprise either in theservant who carried it, or in Signor Fortini himself. Signor Giovacchinowas, and had been for many years, the confidential lawyer of theCastelmare family. And the various business connected with large landedpossessions made frequent conferences necessary between the lawyer andsuch a client as the Marchese, who, among his other activities, hadalways been active in the management and care of his estates.

  Signor Giovacchino Fortini was very decidedly the first man of hisprofession in Ravenna, as indeed might be expected of the person who hadbeen honoured for more than one generation by the confidence of theCastelmare family. For the lawyer was a much older man than theMarchese, and had been the confidential adviser of his father. And oldGiovacchino Fortini's father and grandfather had sat in the same"studio" before him, and had held the same position towards previousgenerations of the Castelmare family.

  For three generations also the Fortini, grandfather, father, and son,had been lawyers to the Chapter of Ravenna; a fact which vouched thevery high standing and consideration they held in the city, and at thesame time explained the circumstances under which it had come to passthat the "studio" they had occupied for so many years, seemed more likesome public building than the private offices of a provincial attorney.

  In fact the "Studio Fortini" was a portion of an ancient buildingattached to the Cathedral, in which some of the less dignified membersof the Chapter had their residences. The building in question encircleda small cloistered court, the soil of which was on a lower level thanthat of the street outside it; and the residences, to which a series oflittle doors around this cloister gave access, looked as if they musthave been miserably damp and unwholesome. But the "Studio Fortini" wasnot situated in any part of this damp lower floor. In the corner of thecloister nearest to the Cathedral, there was a wide and picturesque oldstone staircase, which led to an upper cloister, as sunny and pleasantlooking as the lower one was the reverse. There, near the head of thestair, was a round arched deeply sunk stone doorway, closed by a blackdoor, bearing a bright brass plate on it, conveying the information,altogether superfluous to every man, woman, and child in Ravenna, thatthere was situated the "Studio Fortini."

  This black door was never quite closed during the day. It admittedanybody who chose to push it into a small ante-room, on one side ofwhich might be seen through a glass door a long low vaulted room, orgallery rather, running over some half dozen of the inhabited cellsbelow. And along the whole length of it on either side, up to the heightof the small round arched windows placed high up in the wall, wereranges of shelves occupied by many hundreds of volumes, all of the samesize, and all bound alike in parchment, with two red bands of Russianleather running across the backs of them, and all lettered and dated inblack ink, of gradually shaded degrees of fadedness. The place lookedlike the archive-room of some public establishment, which kept itsarchives in very unusually good order.

  All these were the documents and pleadings in all the lawsuits and otherlegal transactions of all the clients of the three generations of theFortini. And it would not have been too much to say, that SignorGiovacchino Fortini would have deemed the destruction of this mass ofpapers as a misfortune to be paralleled only by that of the Alexandrianlibrary.

  On the opposite side to the long gallery the anteroom gave access to alarge and lofty vaulted chamber, about one-sixth part of the space ofwhich--that is, a third of the floor and a half of the height--waspartitioned off by a slight modern wall and ceiling. Two young clerksoccupied the larger unenclosed portion of the large hall,--for such itssize entitled it to be called,--and Signor Fortini's senior andconfidential clerk sat on the top of the ceiling, which enclosed thesmaller portion. A small wooden stair gave access to this loftyposition, which was admirably adapted for keeping an eye on theyoungsters on the floor below. Under the same ceiling, in the snuglittle room thus divided off, sat Signor Fortini himself. And a verysnug and bright-looking little room it was, with a prettystone-mullioned three-lighted casement window opening to the south; andin the wall at right angles to it another window, offering accommodationof a much more unusual and peculiar kind. It opened, in fact, into thetransept of the cathedral, and had been intended to enable the occupieror occupiers of the apartment, now inhabited by the lawyer, to enjoy thebenefit of attending mass without the trouble of descending into thechurch for that purpose. If Signor Giovacchino Fortini did not often useit for that purpose, it, at all events, had the effect of imparting anecclesiastical air to his habitat, which seemed to have a certainpropriety in the case of a gentleman whose business connections with thehierarchy were so close, and unquestionably added to the savour ofunimpeachable respectability which appertained to Signor Fortini and allbelonging to him.

  Signor Fortini was a tall, thin, adust old man, with a large,well-developed forehead, a keen, bright hazel eye, and bristling,iron-grey hair, which had once been black, and a beard to match, whichseemed as if the barber entrusted with the care of it were always two orthree days in arrear with his work. By some incomprehensible combinationof circumstances it seemed as if Signor Fortini's face were never seenfresh shaven. His sharp chin and lanthorn jaws appeared to beperennially clothed with a two days' old crop of grisly stubble,--twodays' growth,--neither more nor less!

  Long years ago he had buried a childless wife, who was said to have beena wonderful beauty, and to have been in many ways a trouble greater thanSignor Fortini knew how to manage, and a trial that made his life aburthen to him. Those old troubles were now, however, long since pastand gone; and Signor Fortini lived only for his law and his artistic andantiquarian collections. He was like many of his peers in the provincialcities of the Papal dominions--a great antiquary and virtuoso.Antiquarianism is a "safe" pursuit under a government the nature ofwhich makes and finds very many intellectual occupations unsafe. Andthis may account for the fact, that very many competent historicalantiquaries and collectors are found in the Pope's territories amongsuch men as Signor Fortini.

  The son and grandson of thriving lawyers, who had for nearly an hundredyears managed the affairs of the Chapter and the estates of theprincipal landed proprietors of the neighbourhood, was not likely to beotherwise than well off; and it was generally understood that SignorFortini was a wealthy man. He loudly protested on all occasions thatthis was a most mistaken notion; but there never occurred an opportunityof adding to his very remarkable collection of drawings of the oldmasters, or his unrivalled series of mediaeval seals, or his all butperfect library of the Municipal Statutes of the mediaeval Communes ofItaly, which found Signor Fortini unprepared to outbid most competitors.

  There were very few among his clients whom Signor Fortini would not haveexpected to call on him at his "studio," instead of summoning him towait on them. But the Marchese di Castelmare was one of thesefew,--perhaps as much, or more, on the score of old friendship as onthat of rank and social importance.

  The old lawyer was not more importantly occupied when he received theMarchese's message, than by intently examining a bronze medal through amagnifying-glass; and he sent back word that he would be with theMarchese immediately. The fact was he did not like the look of thissummons at all. He, too, had observed the unmistakable change in his oldfriend; and jumped to the conclusion that what he was wanted for was tomake, or to be consulted about making, the Marchese's will.

  "To think of his breaking up so suddenly, in such a way as this. Nostamina! Why, he must be twenty years my junior; and I don't feel a dayolder than I did ten years ago, not a day. He has led a steady life too;and seemed as likely a man to last as one woul
d wish to look at. Isuppose everything will go to the nephew,--legacies to servants, andsomething, I should not wonder, to the town hospital,--not that I thinkhe can have saved much, if any thing. I should like that little cabinetGuido and I don't suppose Signor Ludovico would care a rush about it."

  With these thoughts in his mind Signor Fortini presented himself at thedoor of the Castelmare palace within ten minutes of the time when he hadreceived the summons of the Marchese, and was immediately ushered intothe library.

  A bright ray of sunshine was streaming in at the large window, andflooding half the room with its comfortable warmth and cheerful light.But the Marchese, though he held a scaldino (a little earthenware potfilled with burning braise) in his hand, and was apparently shiveringwith cold, sat in his large library-chair, drawn into the darkest cornerof the room, cowering over this scaldino, which he held between hisknees. He jumped up from his seat, however, to receive his visitor withan air, one would have said, of having been startled by his entrance.

  "It is kind of you to come to me so quickly, Signor Giovacchino," hesaid; and then turning angrily to the servant, who was leaving the room,added in a cross and irritable voice, very unlike his usual manner, "Whyare not those persiane shut? Close them directly, and thenbegone--quick!"

  The man, with a startled look, did as he was bid; and the heavy woodenjalousies thus shut reduced the room to comparative darkness.

  "I am afraid I find you very far from well, Signor Marchese. Would not alittle sun be pleasant this bright morning? the air is quite freshdespite the sunshine."

  "I don't like the sun indoors! I don't know how my rascals came to leavethe persiane open."

  "I thought you seemed cold, Signor Marchese," said the lawyer, kindly.

  "So I am cold--very cold," he said, and his teeth chattered as he saidit; "but the light hurts my eyes."

  "It very often does so when one is not well."

  "Not well! I'm well enough, man alive. But I think I must have caught alittle cold at the ball last night," rejoined the Marchese, strivinghard to speak in his usual manner.

  The lawyer, whose eyes had by this time become accustomed to thediminished light, looked hard at his old friend from beneath his greatshaggy black eye-brows, with a shrewdly examining glance, and thenslightly shook his head.

  "Well, I daresay you'll be all right again in a day or two. But any way,I am glad you sent for me all the same. These things have to be done,you know. And a man does not die a bit the sooner for doing them. For mypart, I always advise my friends to have all such matters settled whilethey are in health."

  "What, in Heaven's name, are you talking about? I don't know what youmean," said the Marchese, with an angry irritability that was totallyunlike his usual manner. "I sent for the lawyer; and you come and talk tome as if you wanted to play the doctor."

  "I assure you, Signor Marchese, I have not the slightest desire to playany part but my own. And that I am perfectly ready to enter on. I amready to take your instructions, and will draw up the instrumentto-morrow or the next day. Thank God there is no cause for hurry. Andthat is one of the advantages of arranging all testamentary dispositionswhile we are in health. My own will, Signor Marchese, has been madethese ten years."

  "What is that to me? I may make my will ten years hence, and yet get itdone in quite as good time as you have, Signor Fortini. Pray allow me tojudge for myself, when I think it right to make my will. I have usuallybeen able to manage my own affairs." He spoke with a degree of anger andpetulance, jumping up from his chair, and taking a turn to the windowand back again, which seemed to conquer the shivering fit from which hehad been suffering.

  "Manage your own affairs, Signor Marchese! Who would dream ofinterfering with your management of them? But did you not send for me tomake your will?" said the lawyer, standing also.

  "Send for you to make my will! No devil told you I wanted to make mywill? I said nothing about making my will."

  "I beg your pardon, Signor Marchese. Perhaps I jumped at a conclusionover hastily. I thought it a wise thing to do, and so imagined that youwere going to do it;--that's all. Let us say no more about it. Whatcommands have you then to give me?"

  The Marchese took another turn across the room before replying; and theobservant lawyer saw him, when his back was turned, pass his hand acrosshis brow, with the action of one ill at ease. Then resuming his seat,and motioning the lawyer to take a chair, he said--"If you will take achair, Signor Giovacchino, I will tell you the business for which I havesent for you. I have thought it my duty--family considerations--in fact,I've been thinking on the subject for a long time--in short, SignorFortini, I am about to be married."

  "Whew--w--w!" whistled the lawyer, without the least attempt atconcealing the extremity of his astonishment; and pushing back his chaira couple of feet, as he raised his head to stare into his companion'sface.

  "And pray, Signor, what is there to be astonished at in such anintention?" said the Marchese, evidently wincing under the lawyer'slook.

  "I beg your pardon, Signor Marchese, but--the fact is--one is alwaysastonished at what one does not expect, you know. You may depend on it,I am not one bit more astonished than every human being in Ravenna willbe," said the lawyer, looking hard at him.

  "I am not aware, Signor Fortini, that I have to answer to any one savemyself for the wisdom of my resolution," said the Marchese, with adignity more like his usual manner than he had yet spoken.

  "Certainly not, Signor Marchese. Certainly not. But the exception is animportant one. You will have to answer for the wisdom of your resolutionto yourself," rejoined Fortini, drily.

  "That, Signor Fortini, is my affair. As I told you, I have consideredthe matter well; and I have made up my mind."

  "May I ask, Signor Marchese, whether your intention has beencommunicated to your nephew?" asked the lawyer.

  "As yet I have announced it to no one save yourself. As soon as thenecessary arrangements with regard to matters of property have beendetermined on, it will be the fitting time to do so."

  "Before any word can be said on that head, of course, it is necessarythat your lordship should mention, what you have not yet confided tome,--the name of the lady with whom you are about to ally yourself."

  "Of course; and it is for the purpose of doing so that I have requestedyour presence here this morning, Signor Fortini. Before naming the lady,I will merely remark to you, that a man at my time of life may beexpected to know his own mind, and has a right to please himself. Andbearing these remarks in mind, you will understand that I do not wish tohear any observations on the subject of the choice I have made. Mychoice is made; and that is sufficient."

  The Marchese looked up into the lawyer's face, and paused for some replyto these preliminary observations before proceeding to tell his secret;but the lawyer maintained a look and attitude of silent expectation.

  "It is my intention," proceeded the Marchese, "to marry the SignoraBianca Lalli;--the lady whose conduct, as well as her talent, has wonthe good opinion of the entire city."

  The old lawyer flung down on the table, with a clatter, a paper-knifewhich he had taken into his hand while speaking, and rising abruptlyfrom his chair, took one or two turns across the room before he answereda word. Then coming in front of the Marchese, and still continuing tostand, he said,

  "You have warned me, Signor Marchese, not to make any remarks on thecommunication you have just made to me. There is one, however, whichperforce I must make. It is that I must decline to take anyinstructions, or to act in any way, for the forwarding of such apurpose."

  "There are other attorneys in Ravenna, Signor Fortini."

  "Plenty, Signor Marchese; plenty who will be abundantly ready to do yourbidding. But Giovacchino Fortini will not. Good heaven! I should expectto have my dear and honoured old friend and patron, your father, comingout of his grave to upbraid me. Signor Marchese, you know right well--aswell as I do myself--that at this time of day, I don't care two straws,as a mere matter of gain, whether I continue to be ho
noured with thetransaction of your legal affairs or not. But I do care on othergrounds. And I do implore you to believe that I am speaking to you moreas a friend than as a lawyer;--that I am speaking to you as the wholecity would speak, and will speak when it hears of this--thisincredible--this monstrous notion,--when I entreat you to think yetfurther on this most disastrous purpose."

  Of course when a man speaks as Signor Fortini spoke to the Marchese, hedoes it not without some hope that his words may produce an effect onthe person he addresses. But the lawyer had not much expectation that inthe present case what he said would be listened to. He spoke more forthe discharge of his own conscience, and because the feelings heexpressed were strong within him, than for any other reason. And hefully expected that he should be answered with words of anger anduncompromising rejection of his interference.

  It was not without considerable surprise, therefore, that he heard theMarchese's moderate answer to the strong opposition he had offered tohis intention. "Well, Signor Fortini, I cannot doubt that what you havesaid has been, at all events, dictated by a strong regard for mywelfare, as you understand it. I have, as I told you, made up my mindupon the subject. Nevertheless, counsel cannot but be useful, and it iswell not to be precipitate. I will, therefore, so far accept your adviceas to promise you that I will give myself time to deliberate yet furtheron the step. In the meantime you will note that my first communicationto you on the subject was made on this first day of Lent; so that when Iagain seek your assistance in the matter, you will know that I have atleast not acted in a hurry, but have given myself due time for maturereflection."

  "I am delighted, Signor Marchese, to have obtained from you at leastthus much. It is at all events something gained. And I shall still hope,that further reflection may lead you to change your purpose. Hopingthat, I shall, you may depend upon it, breathe no word of what you havesaid to me to any living soul. But you must understand that, withoutsuch hope, I should have deemed it my duty to speak on the subject withthe Marchese Ludovico."

  "How so, Signor Fortini? A lawyer--"

  "Very true, Signor Marchese. A lawyer, as you would observe, isaddressed by his client in confidence, and the confidence should besacred. But you must remember that I have the honour to act in this, asI and my father have done on all other occasions for now threegenerations, not only for your lordship, but for the whole of thefamily. I am the legal adviser of the Marchese Ludovico, as I was hisfather's, and as I am yours. It is my duty, therefore, as I understandit, to look upon myself as bound to consider the welfare and interestsof the entire family; and I need not remark to you how cruelly those ofthe Marchese Ludovico would be compromised by such an event as we werecontemplating just now."

  "With regard to speaking to my nephew on the subject, Signor Fortini, Ican have no objection to your doing so, if you think it your duty. Hewill, of course, be informed of my intention by myself. Do not forget,however, that my first communication to you on this subject was on thefirst day of Lent, Ash Wednesday."

  "Forget it, Signor Marchese! I am not likely to forget it for a longtime to come, I assure you," said the lawyer, not a little surprised.

  "I mention it because I am anxious that you should not accuse me ofacting with precipitancy in this matter; that when I shall renew myapplication to you, you may remember that I have had due and sufficienttime for reflection. Addio, Signor Giovacchino," said the Marchese,reverting to the more friendly form of address; "addio, ed a rivedercifra poco!"

  "Servo suo, Lustrissimo Signor Marchese, a rivederci!"