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ringasshewalked,andherhairwasdoneinherfavouritemanner,intertwinedwithgoldandsilverthreadsbutthewonderfulchestnutoutshonethebrilliantmetals,seemingtolendthembeautyratherthantoborrowit.Iheardherspeak,andhervoicewaslowandfulllikeaman's.
MatteoandIstoodlookingatherforaminutethenwebothbrokeout'PerBacco,sheisbeautiful!'
IbeganthinkingofthefairystoriesIhadheardofCaterinaatRome,whereshehadenchantedeveryonebyherlovelinessandSixtushadsquanderedtherichesoftheChurchtosatisfyherwhimsandfancies:banquets,balls,pageantsandgorgeousceremoniestheancientcityhadrunredwithwineandmadwithdelightofherbeauty.
SuddenlyMatteosaidtome,'LookatGirolamo!'
Iliftedmyeyes,andsawhimstandingquiteclosetome—atallman,muscularandstrong,withbigheavyface,andprominentjawbones,thenoselongandhooked,smallkeeneyes,verymobile.Hisskinwasunpleasant,redandcoarselikehiswife,hewasdressedwithgreatmagnificence.
'Oneseesthesailorgrandfatherinhim,'Isaid,rememberingthatSixtus'sfather,thefounderofthefamily,wasacommonsailoratRovese.
HewastalkingtoChecco,whowasapparentlyspeakingtohimofus,forheturnedandsteppedforwardtoMatteo.
'Theprodigalhasreturned,'hesaid.'Wewillnotfailtokillthefattedcalf.Butthistimeyoumuststaywithus,MatteowecangiveyouserviceaswellastheDukeofCalabria.'
MatteosmiledgrimlyandtheCountturnedtome.
'Checcohastoldmeofyoualso,sirbutIfearthereisnochanceofkeepingyou,youarebutabirdofpassage—still,IhopeyouwillletusmakeyouwelcomeatthePalace.'
Allthetimehewasspeakinghiseyeskeptmovingrapidlyupanddown,allroundme,andIfelthewastakinginmywholeperson....Afterthesefewwordshesmiled,aharsh,mechanicalsmile,meanttobegracious,andwithacourteousbowmovedon.IturnedtoMatteoandsawhimlookingaftertheCountverysourly.
'Whatisit,'Iasked.
'Heisdevilishcondescending,'heanswered.'WhenlastIwashereitwashailfellow,wellmet,but,goodGod!he'sputonairssincethen!'
'Yourcousinsaidsomethingtothesameeffect,'Iremarked.
'Yes,Iunderstandwhathemeantnow.'
Westrolledroundtheroom,lookingatthepeopleandtalking.
'Look,'Isaid,'there'sahandsomewoman!'pointingtoavoluptuousbeauty,amassivecreature,full-brestedandhigh-coloured.
'Youreyeisdrawntoa