Giovacchino Fortini did not often use it for that purpose, it, at
all events, had the effect of imparting an ecclesiastical air to his
habitat, which seemed to have a certain propriety in the case of a
gentleman whose business connections with the hierarchy were so
close, and unquestionably added to the savour of unimpeachable
respectability which appertained to Signor Fortini and all belonging
to him.

Signor Fortini was a tall, thin, adust old man, with a large, well-
developed forehead, a keen, bright hazel eye, and bristling, iron-
grey hair, which had once been black, and a beard to match, which
seemed as if the barber entrusted with the care of it were always
two or three days in arrear with his work. By some incomprehensible
combination of circumstances it seemed as if Signor Fortini's face
were never seen fresh shaven. His sharp chin and lanthorn jaws
appeared to be perennially clothed with a two days' old crop of
grisly stubble,--two days' growth,--neither more nor less!

Long years ago he had buried a childless wife, who was said to have
been a wonderful beauty, and to have been in many ways a trouble
greater than Signor Fortini knew how to manage, and a trial that
made his life a burthen to him. Those old troubles were now,
however, long since past and gone; and Signor Fortini lived only for
his law and his artistic and antiquarian collections. He was like
many of his peers in the provincial cities of the Papal dominions--a
great antiquary and virtuoso. Antiquarianism is a "safe" pursuit
under a government the nature of which makes and finds very many
intellectual occupations unsafe. And this may account for the fact,
that very many competent historical antiquaries and collectors are
found in the Pope's territories among such men as Signor Fortini.