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ewouldtakeyoutohisarmsandcomfortyou,andneveroncecomplainthatyouhadstrayedaway.IlongedtobewithMatteo,claspinghishand.InmyhurryIputthespurstomyhorse,andclatteredalongthestreet.InafewminutesIhadreachedthePalazzo,leaptoffmyhorse,sprungupthestairs,andflungmyselfintothearmsofmyfriend.
Afterthefirstgreetings,MatteodraggedmealongtoChecco.
'Thegoodcousinismosteagertohearyournews.Wemustnotkeephimwaiting.'
CheccoseemedaspleasedtoseemeasMatteo.Hewarmlypressedmyhand,andsaid,—
'Iamgladtohaveyouback,Filippo.Inyourabsencewehavebeenlamentinglikeforsakenshepherdesses.Now,whatisyournews?'
Iwasfullyimpressedwithmyimportanceatthemoment,andtheanxietywithwhichIwasbeinglistenedto.Iresolvednottobetraymyselftoosoon,andbegantellingthemaboutthekindnessofLorenzo,andtheplaywhichhehadinvitedmetosee.Idescribedthebrilliancyoftheassembly,andtheexcellenceoftheacting.Theylistenedwithinterest,butIcouldseeitwasnotwhattheywantedtohear.
'ButIseeyouwanttoheara
