"God have mercy on him!" whined the librarian, trembling to his
feet. "He was the best of men, and is no doubt in glory!"
"No doubt," replied San Giacinto drily. He entertained opinions of
his own upon the subject, and he did not like the man's tone. "No
doubt," he repeated. "We will try and fulfil his wishes with
regard to you."
"Grazie, Eccelenza!" said Meschini with great humility, making
horns with his fingers behind his back to ward off the evil eye,
and edging away in the direction of the grand staircase.
San Giacinto returned to the door and paid no more attention to
him. Then Meschini almost ran down the stairs and did not slacken
his speed until he found himself in the street. The cold air of
the winter's day revived him, and he found himself walking rapidly
in the direction of the Ponte Quattro Capi. He generally took that
direction when he went out without any especial object, for his
friend Tiberio Colaisso, the poor apothecary, had his shop upon
the little island of Saint Bartholomew, which is connected with
the shores of the river by a double bridge, whence the name, "the
bridge of four heads."
Meschini paused and looked over the parapet at the yellow swirling
water. The eddies seemed to take queer shapes and he watched them
for a long time.
Pages:
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615