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ISEEMEDtohavesleptabarehalf-hourwhenIwasawakenedbyagreatnoisedownstairs.Igotup,andlookingoutofthewindowsawacrowdgatheredinthestreetbelowtheyweretalkingandgesticulatingfuriously.ThenIrememberedtheoccurrenceofthenight,andIsawthatthenewshadspreadandthesewerecitizenscometogatherdetails.Iwentdownstairsandfoundthecourtyardthronged.ImmediatelyIwassurroundedbyanxiouspeopleaskingfornews.VerycontraryreportshadcirculatedsomesaidthatCheccohadbeenkilledoutright,othersthathehadescaped,whilemostassertedthathewaswounded.AllaskedforChecco.
'Ifheisunhurt,whydoeshenotshowhimself?'theyasked.
Aservantassuredthemthathewasdressing,andwouldbewiththematonce....Suddenlytherewasashout.Checcohadappearedatthetopofthestairs.Theyrushedtowardshim,surroundinghimwithcriesofjoytheyseizedhishand,theyclungtohislegs,someofthemtouchedhimallovertoseethathewasindeedunwounded,otherskissedthelappetsofhiscoat....BartolomeoMoratinienteredthecourtwithhissons,andthepeopleshrunkbackashecameforwardandembracedChecco.
'ThankGodyouaresaved!'hesaid.'Itwillbeanevildayfo
