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lytimetosleepfromthegravityandinstructivetediumofacomedybyTerencetoadrinkingboutoracardparty.Iwenteverywhere,andeverywherereceivedtheheartiestofwelcomes.Icouldsinganddance,andplaythelute,andact,andIwasreadytocomposeasonnetoranodeatamoment'snoticeinaweekIcouldproduceafive-acttragedyintheSenecanmanner,oranepiconRinaldoorLauncelotandasIhadnotacareintheworldandwasasmerryasadrunkenfriar,theyopenedtheirarmstomeandgavemethebestofalltheyhad.... Iwasattentivetoalltheladies,andscandaloustonguesgavemehalfadozenmistresses,withdetailsofthesiegeandcapture.IwonderedwhethertheamiableGiuliaheardthestories,andwhatshethoughtofthem.OccasionallyIsawher,butIdidnottroubletospeaktoherForliwaslargeenoughforthetwoofusandwhenpeoplearedisagreeablewhyshouldyoutroubleyourheadaboutthem? OneafternoonIrodewithMatteoafewmilesoutofForlitoavillawheretherewastobesomefestivityinhonourofachristening.Itwasabeautifulspot,withfountainsandshadywalks,andpleasantlawnsofwell-mowngrassandIsetmyselftotheenjoymentofanotherday.AmongtheguestswasClaudiaPiacentini.Ipretendedtobeveryangrywithherbecause,ataballwhichshehadrecentlygiven,Ihadnotreceivedthehonourofaninvitation.Shecametometoaskforgiveness. 'Itwasmyhusband,'shesaid,whichIknewperfectlywell.'Hesaidhewouldnothaveyouinhishouse.You'vehadanotherquarrelwithhim!' 'HowcanIhelpit,whenIseehimthepossessorofthelovelyClaudia!' 'Hesayshewillneverbesatisfiedtillhehasyourblood.' Iwasnotalarmed. 'Hetalkedofmakingavownevertocuthisbeardorhishairtillhehadhisrevenge,butIimploredhimnottomakehimselfmorehideousthanamercifulProvidencehadalreadymadehim.' IthoughtoftheferociousErcolewithalong,untrimmedbeardandunkempthairfallingoverhisface. 'Hewouldhavelookedlikeawildmanofthewoods,'Isaid.'Ishouldhavehad