For what does
love know of rank?"
She was moving towards the window again, and for all that he dared not a
second time arrest her by force, he sought by words to do so.
"Madonna," he exclaimed, "I implore you to hear me. In another hour I
shall be in the saddle, on my way to Babbiano."
"That, sir," she answered him, "is the best news I have heard since your
coming." And without waiting for his reply, she stepped through the open
window on to the terrace.
For a second he hesitated, a sense of angry humiliation oppressing his
wits. Then he started to follow her; but as he reached the window the
little crook-backed figure of Ser Peppe stood suddenly before him with a
tinkle of bells, and a mocking grin illumining his face.
"Out of the way, fool," growled the angry Duke. But the odd figure in
its motley of red and black continued where it stood.
"If it is Madonna Valentina you seek," said he, "behold her yonder."
And Gian Maria, following the indication of Peppe's lean finger, saw that
she had rejoined her ladies and that thus his opportunity of speaking
with her was at an end. He turned his shoulder upon the jester, and
moved ponderously towards the door by which he had originally entered the
room. It had been well for Ser Peppe had he let him go. But the fool,
who loved his mistress dearly, and had many of the instincts of the
faithful dog, loving where she loved and hating where she hated, could
not repress the desire to send a gibe after the retreating figure, and
inflict another wound in that much wounded spirit.
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