I left the Moratini and walked out into the town. This last interview had helped me in so far that it made certain that my love was hopeless. I stood still and stamped on the ground, vowing I would not love her. I would put her away from my thoughts entirely; she was a contemptible, vicious woman, and I was too proud to be subject to her. I wondered I did not kill her. I made up my mind to take my courage in both hands and leave Forli. Once away, I should find myself attracted to different matters, and probably I should not live long before finding some other woman to take Giulia's place. She was not the only woman in Italy; she was not the most beautiful nor the cleverest. Give me a month and I could laugh at my torments....
The same evening I told Matteo I meant to leave Forli.
'Why?' he asked in astonishment.
'I have been here several weeks,' I answered; 'I don't want to outstay my welcome.'
'That is rubbish. You know I should be only too glad for you to stay here all your life.'
'That is very kind of you,' I replied, with a laugh, 'but the establishment is not yours.'
'That makes no difference. Besides, Checco has become very fond of you, and I'm sure he wishes you to stay.'
'Of course, I know your hospitality is quite unlimited; but I am beginning to want to get back to Città di Castello.'
'Why?' asked Matteo, doubtfully.
'One likes to return to one's native place.'
'You have been away from Castello for ten years; you cannot be in any particular hurry to get back.'
I was beginning to protest when Checco came in, and Matteo interrupted me with,—
'Listen, Checco, Filippo says he wants to leave us.'
'But he sha'n't,' said Checco, laughing.
'I really must!' I answered gravely.
'You really mustn't,' replied Checco. 'We can't spare you, Filippo.'
'There's no great hurry about your going home,' he added, when I had explained my reasons, 'and I fancy that soon we shall want you here. A good sword and a brave heart will probably be of good use to us.'
'Everything is as quiet as a cemetery,' I said, shrugging my shoulders.
'It is quiet above; but below there are rumblings and strange movements. I feel sure this calm only presages a storm. It is impossible for Girolamo to go on as he is now; his debts are increasing every day, and his difficulties will soon be impracticable. He must do something. There is certain to be a disturbance at any attempt to put on the taxes, and then Heaven only knows what will happen.'
I was beginning to get a little vexed at their opposition, and I answered petulantly,—
'No, I must go.'
'Stay another month; things must come to a head before then.'
A month would have been as bad as a year.
'I am out of health,' I answered; 'I feel I want to get into a different atmosphere.'
Checco thought for a moment.
'Very well,' he said, 'we can arrange matters to suit us both. I want someone to go to Florence for me to conclude a little business matter with Messer Lorenzo de' Medici. You would be away a fortnight; and if you are out of sorts the ride across country will put you right. Will you go?'
I thought for a moment. It was not a very long absence, but the new sights would distract me, and I wanted to see Florence again. On the whole, I thought it would suffice, and that I could count on the cure of my ill before the time was up.
'Very well,' I answered.
'Good! And you will have a pleasant companion. I had talked to Scipione Moratini about it; it did not occur to me that you would go. But it will be all the better to have two of you.'
'If I go,' I said, 'I shall go alone.'
Checco was rather astonished.
'Why?'
'Scipione bores me. I want to be quiet and do as I like.'
I was quite determined that neither of the Moratini should come with me. They would have reminded me too much of what I wanted to forget.
'As you like,' said Checco. 'I can easily tell Scipione that I want him to do something else for me.'
'Thanks.'
'When will you start?'
'At once.'
'Then come, and I will give you the instructions and necessary papers.'
XV
Next morning I mounted my horse and set out with Matteo, who was to accompany me for a little way.
But at the town gate a guard stopped us and asked where we were going.
'Out!' I answered shortly, moving on.
'Stop!' said the man, catching hold of my bridle.
'What the devil d'you mean?' said Matteo. 'D'you know whom we are?'
'I have orders to let no one go by without the permission of my captain.'
'What tyrants they are!' cried Matteo. 'Well, what the hell are you standing there for? Go and tell your captain to come out.'
The man signed to another soldier, who went into the guard-house; he was still holding my bridle. I was not very good-tempered that morning.
'Have the goodness to take your hands off,' I said.
He looked as if he were about to refuse.
'Will you do as you are told?' Then, as he hesitated, I brought down the butt-end of my whip on his fingers, and with an oath bade him stand off. He let go at once, cursing, and looked as if he would willingly stab me if he dared. We waited impatiently, but the captain did not appear.
'Why the devil doesn't this man come?' I said; and Matteo, turning to one of the soldiers, ordered,—
'Go and tell him to come here instantly.'
At that moment the captain appeared, and we understood the incident, for it was Ercole Piacentini. He had apparently seen us coming, or heard of my intended journey, and had set himself out to insult us. We were both furious.
'Why the devil don't you hurry up when you're sent for?' said Matteo.
He scowled, but did not answer. Turning to me he asked,—
'Where are you going?'
Matteo and I looked at one another in amazement at the man's impudence,
