He takes a serious view of the case of the Courier; it may be necessary,
he thinks, to send for medical advice. No servant is left in the palace,
now the English maid has taken her departure. The Baron himself
must fetch the doctor, if the doctor is really needed.
'"Let us have medical help, by all means," his sister replies.
"But wait and hear something that I have to say to you first."
She then electrifies the Baron by communicating her idea
to him. What danger of discovery have they to dread?
My Lord's life in Venice has been a life of absolute seclusion:
nobody but his banker knows him, even by personal appearance.
He has presented his letter of credit as a perfect stranger;
and he and his banker have never seen each other since that
first visit. He has given no parties, and gone to no parties.
On the few occasions when he has hired a gondola or taken a walk,
he has always been alone. Thanks to the atrocious suspicion
which makes him ashamed of being seen with his wife, he has
led the very life which makes the proposed enterprise easy
of accomplishment.
'The cautious Baron listens--but gives no positive opinion, as yet.
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