The Disappearance of Signora Giulia by Piero Chiara Read Free Book Online

disappearance.
    Sciancalepre didn’t accept the suggestion. He discussed the situation that had arisen in the Esengrini household and the new reality that prevailed after Emilia’s wedding, and made it clear to the lawyer that his daughter intended to take possession of the house and its grounds upon her return from the honeymoon. They were now her property, according to her grandfather’s will. In fact, her father’s guardianship was nearing an end, along with his administration of her property, by dint of her marriage and coming of age.
    When Esengrini had taken in Emilia’s decision, he realized that his continuing presence in his rooms had become untenable. He had a month before the couple’s return, and he calmly prepared himself to say goodbye for good to the home he’d gone to live in after his own marriage. He boughta large apartment in a new block that rose over the lakeside square and moved there, together with his office, his files and household furniture.
    Sciancalepre, following everything in the guise of trusted intermediary for both parties, was in contact with Beatenberg, and when Esengrini had cleared himself and his things out of the old villa Zaccagni-Lamberti, he alerted the couple that they could return.
    Fumagalli and his wife came back to M—— a few days later, but only for the short time necessary to begin remodelling and restoring the house, in particular the empty wing where Emilia’s grandparents had lived. For the time being, they were staying in Milan with Carlo’s mother while he went back and forth directing and overseeing the work. The house was ready in a month, and the flat previously inhabited by Emilia’s parents was shut up in its existing state, as well as the lawyer’s office, which faced via Lamberti.
    The renovated apartment retained intact its eighteenth-century furniture and overall style; only the bathrooms were modern. The park was left neglected and was now entrusted to the scant attentions of the good Demetrio, who still frequented the house, even though he’d followed the lawyer to his new office, where he continued to act as his secretary. For her part, his wife entered the service of the new signora, and the rhythm of former times was re-established.
    The villa’s salons were opened up to guests. On beautiful summer evenings, Sciancalepre went once more with his wife, and so did Commendatore Binacchi with his wife and daughter, by now a hopeless spinster. The neighbouring Ravizza and Sormani families came with their sons and daughters, andthe presence of a few young married couples helped to liven things up. At least twice a week, the Fumagalli couple returned the visits, and the life of the small town went back to being as fashionable as its old habits and daring new innovations – television, waterskiing and rock ’n’ roll dancing – would permit.
    The marriage was the happy result of a love match, and in common with many other young couples the Fumagalli put off having children so as not to bring too soon an end to the carefree life. They were completely absorbed in their happiness, content with the immense house their youthful enthusiasm had brought to life once more, which they were slowly exploring from cellar to attic. They never felt the need to use the grounds. They looked at the park from the courtyard terrace or their balcony as if it were a body of water, fascinating and treacherous. On moonlit nights, after their guests had left, or on returning from an evening with friends, the two young people stood on the large balcony off the master bedroom, facing the gardens. Leaning on the railing, they looked at the old trees lit up with the moon’s glow, the grown hedges forming an impenetrable thicket, a few milky white spots on the path between the plants, and the two huge magnolias on the first level under the double flights of stairs, their every leaf glittering.
    Autumn had begun and one night, home late, they went out as usual onto the balcony