Rolland answered, with a hard solemnity expressive of respect
for his lordship's memory. Mr. Ferrari got his money when it was due;
and he cared for nothing else. "If I could afford it, I would
leave the place too; but I can't afford it." Those were the last
words he said to me, on the morning when I left the palace.
I made no reply. After what had happened (on that other occasion)
I was naturally not on speaking terms with Mr. Ferrari.'
'Can you really tell me nothing which will throw any light
on this matter?'
'Nothing,' said Mrs. Rolland, with an undisguised relish
of the disappointment that she was inflicting.
'There was another member of the family at Venice,' Agnes resumed,
determined to sift the question to the bottom while she had the chance.
'There was Baron Rivar.'
Mrs. Rolland lifted her large hands, covered with rusty black gloves,
in mute protest against the introduction of Baron Rivar as a subject
of inquiry. 'Are you aware, Miss,' she began, 'that I left my place
in consequence of what I observed--?'
Agnes stopped her there. 'I only wanted to ask,' she explained,
'if anything was said or done by Baron Rivar which might account
for Ferrari's strange conduct.
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