kingmyselfwhatthatfoolwasstaringatthishousefor,andthinkingoftellinghimitwasimpolitetostare,whenIrecognisedthehouse'sowner.'
Ilaughed,andshookhishandagain.
'WellFilippo,Iamsureweshallbeverypleasedtoofferyouhospitality.'
'Youaremostkind.'
'Wehaveannexedthewholeplace,butIdaresayyouwillbeabletofindroomsomewhere.Butcomein.'
'Thanks,'Isaid,'ifyoudonotmind.'
IfoundChecco,Bartolomeoandhistwosonssittingtogether.Theyjumpedupwhentheysawme.
'Whatnews?Whatnews?'theyasked.
ThensuddenlyIrememberedtheterriblestoryIhadtotell,forinmyownhappinessIhadforgotteneverythingthatwentbefore.Isuddenlybecamegrave.
'Badnews,'Isaid.'Badnews.'
'Oh,God!Ihavebeenforebodingit.EverynightIhavedreamedawfulthings.'
'Checco,'Ianswered.'IhavedoneallIcouldbut,alas!ithasbeenofnoavail.YouleftmeasaprotectorandIhavebeenabletoprotectnoone.'
'Goon!'
ThenIbeganmystory.ItoldthemhowtheCouncilhadopenedthegates,surrenderingunconditionally,andhowtheCountesshadsalliedforthintriumph.Thatwasnothing.Iftherehadbeennoworsenewsforthemthanthat!ButCheccoclenchedhishandsasIrelatedthesackingofhispalace.AndItoldhimhowoldOrsohadrefusedtoflyandhadbeenseized,whileIhadlainsenselessonthefloor.
'Youdidyourbest,Filippo,'saidChecco.'Youcoulddonothingmore.Butafterwards?'
ItoldthemhowMarcoScorsacanaandPietrohadbeentakenprisoners,andledintothetownlikethievescaughtint