Baglioni first suspects that Giovanni's interest in Dr. Rappaccini proceeds from an interest in his daughter, Beatrice. She is famously rumored to be quite beautiful and knowledgeable, and her reputation is well known. When Baglioni next sees Giovanni on the street several weeks later, he remarks on how "'much altered'" Giovanni looks, and this also makes him worry for the young man. When Rappaccini happens to walk by on the street, looking pointedly at Giovanni,...
Baglioni first suspects that Giovanni's interest in Dr. Rappaccini proceeds from an interest in his daughter, Beatrice. She is famously rumored to be quite beautiful and knowledgeable, and her reputation is well known. When Baglioni next sees Giovanni on the street several weeks later, he remarks on how "'much altered'" Giovanni looks, and this also makes him worry for the young man. When Rappaccini happens to walk by on the street, looking pointedly at Giovanni, Baglioni instantly suspects that "'this man of science is making a study of [Giovanni]." He is absolutely sure now that Giovanni is in grave danger.
When Baglioni actually comes to Giovanni's home to check up on him, he tells Giovanni a story of an Indian prince who sent a beautiful woman to Alexander the Great, and this woman had developed a poisonous nature as a result of her upbringing. He goes on to tell Giovanni that he suspects Rappaccini has brought this story to life by subjecting his own daughter to such an upbringing. Because he seems to suspect that Giovanni has fallen in love with Beatrice, he gives the young man an "antidote" that he claims will rid her of her poisonous nature.
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