r day; he would not owe such an obligation to a man who had
attacked his honour, he would not tolerate the thought that his wife was
actually dwelling in the house of the wretch against whom she asked his
protection. But Ortensia besought him to do nothing hurriedly, lest he
should cause a scandal which would do more harm to her good name than
Don Alberto's foolish declarations, which could be kept a secret.

[Illustration: 'He began to look about for lodgings']

Stradella yielded to her entreaties at first, for he saw that there was
some sense in what she said; but his pride could not bear such a
situation long, and with every day that passed he became more anxious to
leave the palace. He began to look about for lodgings when he went out
alone in the morning, and he saw more than one that would have suited
him; but none of them would be free until the Feast of Saint John, which
was then the quarter-day in Rome, on which leases began and expired. He
wanted a dwelling with a hall large enough for rehearsing with his
orchestra, and having a loggia looking towards the south, like the one
at the Orso inn.

And now it happened, on that same morning when Cucurullo went to find
Tommaso, that Stradella himself had gone out to see another house of
which he had heard; and Don Alberto, who was well informed of the
movements of the little household, judged the moment favourable for
visiting Ortensia, since he had observed that Stradella was usually away
at least an hour, and often much longer, when he went out early; and if
Cucurullo should return sooner, it would not matter.

Ten minutes after the hunchback had left the palace Don Alberto knocked
at the door of the small apartment halfway down the grand staircase.
Pina opened almost immediately, not suspecting anything, but started in
surprise when she saw who the visitor was.

'I desire to speak with the Lady Ortensia,' said Don Alberto suavely.

'The master is gone out,' Pina answered, 'and my mistress would never
receive a gentleman's visit alone, sir.'

'The matter is urgent and concerns the Maestro,' Don Alberto explained,
and at the same time he made the gold pieces in his pocket jingle, as if
quite accidentally.

'The Maestro will be at home in two hours,' said Pina firmly, and making
as if she would shut the door.

'I am too busy to wait so long,' objected the young man. 'My dear good
woman, do you know who I am?'

'Perfectly, sir. You are Don Alberto Altieri, H