The Baron
would take the responsibility, since the house was his.
The porter went down to his lodge, took off his old linen jacket and
put on his best coat and cap, put some change into his pocket, went
out and turned the key of the lock in the postern, and then stumped
off towards the Piazza Sant' Apollinare to get a cab, for there was no
time to be lost.
It was eight o'clock when he rang at the smart new house in the Via
Ludovisi. Sabina and Malipieri had slept barely five hours.
A footman in an apron opened the door, and without waiting to know his
business, asked him why he did not go to the servants' entrance.
"I live in a palace where there is a porter," answered the old man,
assuming the overpowering manner that belongs to the retainers of
really great old Roman houses. "Please inform the Baron that the 'lost
water' has broken out and flooded the cellars of the Palazzo Conti,
and that I am waiting for instructions."
CHAPTER XVII
Volterra went to bed early, but he did not rise late, for he was
always busy, and had many interests that needed constant attention;
and he had preserved the habits of a man who had enriched himself and
succeeded in life by being wide awake and at work when other people
were napping or amusing themselves. At eight o'clock in the morning,
he was already in his study, reading his letters, and waiting for his
secretary.
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