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They lived in different rooms, but they invariably spent their nights together. However, in the morning, before the arrival of the maid, Lucretia always returned to her bedroom, where Mario's small bed stood next to her bed.

The kid was taught to call his father uncle. Stefano did not imagine how painful it would be for him to hear such an appeal. But he could not change anything and was glad at least that both - both Lucretia and Mario - were nearby.

The son grew by leaps and bounds. By the age of six, to the great surprise of his father, he showed artistic abilities and an interest in painting. The boy sat at the table for hours, painting landscapes, portraits and still lifes.

Stephanio was puzzled. He perfectly remembered how, a hundred years ago, his little son François was addicted to the same thing.

"What is this, a coincidence? Or is there something in my nature that gives my children a love of painting? What a strange joke of nature."

He hired teachers, including an artist, an