thwhomtotalk.Theroomsbecamemorecrowdedeverymoment.TheassemblywasthemostbrilliantthatForlihadeverseenandastheeveningworeonthepeoplebecamemoreanimatedababeloftalkdrownedthemusic,andthechieftopicofconversationwasthewonderfulbeautyofCaterina.Shewasbubblingoverwithhighspiritsnooneknewwhathadhappenedtomakehersojoyful,foroflateshehadsufferedalittlefromtheunpopularityofherhusband,andasullenlookofangerhadreplacedtheoldsmilesandgraces.Butto-nightshewasherselfagain.Menwerestandingroundtalkingtoher,andoneheardashoutoflaughterfromthemaseverynowandthenshemadesomewittyreparteeandherconversationgainedanothercharmfromasortofsoldierlybluntnesswhichpeoplerememberedinFrancescoSforza,andwhichshehadinherited.PeoplealsospokeofthecordialityofGirolamotowardsourCheccohewalkedupanddowntheroomwithhim,arminarm,talkingaffectionatelyitremindedtheonlookersofthetimewhentheyhadbeenasbrotherstogether.Caterinaoccasionallygavethemaglanceandalittlesmileofapprovalshewasevidentlywellpleasedwiththereconciliation.
Iwasmakingmywaythroughthecrowd,watchingthevariouspeople,givingawordhereandthereoranod,andIthoughtthatlifewasreallyaveryamusingthing.Ifeltmightilypleasedwithmyself,andIwonderedwheremygoodfriendClaudiawasImustgoandpayhermyrespects.
'Filippo!'
IturnedandsawScipioneMoratinistandingbyhissister,withanumberofgentlemenandladies,mostofthemknowntome.
'Whyareyousmilingsocontentedly?'hesaid.'Youlookasifyouhadlostapebbleandfoundadiamondinitsplace.'
'PerhapsIhavewhoknows?'
AtthatmomentIsawErcolePiacentinientertheroomwithhiswifeIwonderedwhytheyweresolate.Claudiawasatonceseizeduponbyoneofheradmirers,and,leavingherhusband,saunteredoffontheprofferedarm.ErcolecameuptheroomonhiswaytotheCount.Hisgrimvisagewascontortedintoanexpressionofamiability,whichsatonhimwithanillgrace.
'Thisisindeedadayofrejoicing,'Isaid'eventhewickedogreistryingtolookpleasant.'
Giuliagaveal