"
Beltrame looked alarmed, Gonzaga incredulous. Valentina thanked Peppe
with her eyes, thinking that he had but hit upon a subterfuge to serve
her wishes, whilst Francesco, who had now risen to his feet, looked on
with an amused smile as though the matter concerned him nowise
personally. And then, in the very crux of the situation, Fanfulla and
Fra Domenico appeared upon the scene.
"You are, well-returned, Fanfulla!" the Count called to him, "This pretty
gentleman would have had me bound."
"Have you bound?" echoed Fanfulla, in angry horror. "Upon what grounds,
pray?" he demanded, turning fiercely upon Gonzaga.
Impressed by Fanfulla's lordly air, Romeo Gonzaga grew amazingly humble
for one that but a moment back had been so overbearing.
"It would seem, sir, that my judgment was at fault in esteeming his
condition," he excused himself.
"Your judgment?" returned the hot Fanfulla. "And who bade you judge? Go
cut your milk-teeth, boy, and meddle not with men if you would live to be
a man yourself some day."
Valentina smiled, Peppe laughed outright, whilst even Beltrame and his
followers grinned, all of which added not a little to Gonzaga's choler.
But scant though his wisdom might be, it was yet enough to dictate
prudence.
"The presence of Madonna here restrains me," he answered, with elaborate
dignity. "But should we meet again, I shall make bold to show you what
manhood means."
"Perhaps--if by then you shall have come to it.
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