I protested, 'I hated her and despised her; but I tried to forget you; and I wanted you to feel certain that I no longer cared for you.'
'I hate her.'
'Forgive me,' I said.
'I forgive you everything,' she answered.
I kissed her passionately; and I did not remember that I too had something to forgive.
The time flew on, and when a ray of light pierced through the windows I started up in surprise.
'We must make haste,' I said. I went into the ante-room and found Andrea fast asleep. I shook him.
'At what time do the gates open?' I asked.
He rubbed his eyes, and, on a repetition of the question, answered, 'Five!'
It was half-past four; we had no time to lose. I thought for a minute. Andrea would have to go to his mother's and find the needful clothes, then come back; it would all take time, and time meant life and death. Then, the sight of a young and beautiful woman might arouse the guard's attention, and Giulia might be recognised.
An idea struck me.
'Undress!' I said to Andrea.
'What?'
'Undress! Quickly.'
He looked at me blankly, I signed to him, and as he was not rapid enough I tore off his coat; then he understood and in a minute he was standing in his shirt while I had walked off with his clothes. I handed them to Giulia and came back. Andrea was standing in the middle of the room, the very picture of misery. He looked very ridiculous.
'Look here, Andrea,' I said. 'I have given your clothes to a lady, who is going to accompany me instead of you. Do you see?'
'Yes, and what am I to do?'
'You can stay with your mother for the present, and then, if you like, you can join me at my house in Città di Castello.'
'And now?'
'Oh, now you can go home.'
He did not answer, but looked at me dubiously, then at his bare legs and his shirt, then again at me. I pretended not to understand.
'You seem troubled, my dear Andrea. What is the matter?'
He pointed to his shirt.
'Well?' I said.
'It is usual to go about in clothes.'
'A broad-minded youth like you should be free from such prejudice,' I answered gravely. 'On such a morning you will find life much pleasanter without hose and doublet.'
'Common decency—'
'My dear boy, are you not aware that our first parents were content with fig-leaves, and are you not satisfied with a whole shirt? Besides, have you not a fine pair of legs and a handsome body; what are you ashamed of?'
'Everyone will follow me.'
'All the more reason to have something to show them.'
'The guard will lock me up.'
'How will the jailor's daughter be able to resist you in that costume!'
Then another idea struck me, and I said,—
'Well, Andrea, I am grieved to find you of so unpoetical a turn of mind; but I will deny you nothing.' I went to Giulia, and taking the clothes she had just cast off brought them to Andrea.
'There!'
He gave a cry of delight, but on seizing them, and discovering petticoats and flounces, his face fell. I leant against the wall and laughed till my sides ached.
Then Giulia appeared, a most fascinating serving-boy....
'Good-bye,' I cried, and hurried down the stairs. We marched boldly to the city gate, and with beating hearts and innocent countenances, passed through and found ourselves in the open country.
XXXVII
THE Orsi and the Moratini had taken my advice and gone to Città di Castello; so it was to that city we directed our way, and eventually reached it in safety. I did not know where Bartolomeo Moratini was, and I did not wish to take Giulia to my own house, so I placed her in a Benedictine convent, the superior of which, on hearing my name, promised to give her guest every care.
Then I went to the old palace which I had not seen for so many years. I had been too excited to get really home to notice anything of the streets as I passed through them; but as I came in view of the well-remembered walls, I stopped, overcome with strange emotions.... I remembered the day when news had been brought me that the old Vitelli, who was then ruler of Castello, had murmured certain things about me which caused my neck to itch uncomfortably—and upon this I had entrusted my little brother to a relative, who was one of the canons of the cathedral, and the palace to my steward, and mounting my horse, ridden off with all possible haste. I had supposed that a few months would calm the angry Vitelli, but the months had lengthened out into years, and his death had come before his forgiveness. But now I really was back, and I did not mean to go away; my travels had taught me caution, and my intrigues at Forli given me enough excitement for some time. Besides, I was going to marry and rear a family; for, as if Fortune could not give scantily, I had gained a love as well as a home, and everything I wished was granted.
My meditations were interrupted.
'Corpo di Bacco!'
It was Matteo, and in a moment I was in his arms.
'I was just asking myself what that fool was staring at this house for, and thinking of telling him it was impolite to stare, when I recognised the house's owner.'
I laughed, and shook his hand again.
'Well Filippo, I am sure we shall be very pleased to offer you hospitality.'
'You are most kind.'
'We have annexed the whole place, but I daresay you will be able to find room somewhere. But come in.'
'Thanks,' I said, 'if you do not mind.'
I found Checco, Bartolomeo and his two sons sitting together. They jumped up when they saw me.
'What news? What news?' they asked.
Then suddenly I remembered the terrible story I had to tell, for in my own happiness I had forgotten everything that went before. I suddenly became grave.
'Bad news,' I said. 'Bad news.'
'Oh, God! I have been foreboding it. Every night I have dreamed awful things.'
'Checco,' I answered. 'I have done all I could; but, alas! it has been of no avail. You left
