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'Well, but the repairs,' interrupted Montoni 'Aye, the repairs,' said Carlo: 'a part of the roof of the great hall

has fallen in, and all the winds froh it

last winter, and whistled through the whole castle so, that there was no

keeping one's self warm, be where one would There, reat fire in one corner of the little hall,

ready to die with cold, and'-'But there are no more repairs wanted,' said Montoni, impatiently 'O Lord! Your excellenza, yes--the wall of the rampart has tumbled down

in three places; then, the stairs, that lead to the west gallery, have

been a long tio up thereat oak chaht last winter I ventured to go there by h of this,' said Montoni, with quickness: 'I will talk

hted; Carlo swept the hearth, placed chairs, wiped

the dust froe marble table that stood near it, and then left the

room Montoni and his family drew round the fire Madame Montoni made several

attempts at conversation, but his sullen answers repulsed her, while

Eh to speak to hith, in a tremulous voice, she said, 'May I ask, sir, thepause, she recovered sufficient

courage to repeat the question 'It does not suit me to answer enquiries,' said Montoni, 'nor does it