But I answered with feigned concern: "Going away! Surely you cannot mean it.

Why ?--what for?
and where ?" "An uncle of mine is dying in Rome," he answered, crossly.

"He has made me his heir, and I am bound for the sake of decency to attend his last moments.

Rather protracted last moments they threaten to be too, but the lawyers say I had better be present, as the old man may take it into his head to disinherit me at the final gasp.

I suppose I shall not be absent long--a fortnight at most--and in the meanwhile--" Here he hesitated and looked at me anxiously.
"Continue, caro mio, continue!" I said with some impatience.