e) did not relish. The ladies of Nona were gay and
free--too free. Molly recoiled visibly, more than once. The men were
worse. Incredible as it seemed to Grifone, they actually ravaged this
tender honeysuckle spray to drench themselves with the scent. Molly,
beautifully patient, courteous, meek as she was, cast a scared, paling
face about the assembly now and again: some of the talk, too, cut her
very deep. Grifone was already too much interested in her to stomach
this. He decided to make discreet love to his Duchess by a way of his
own. The Nonesi (gluttons!) abused her favours; he would refuse them. He
would fast where Nona feasted, and be the only unkissed guest at her
receptions.

VI

GRIFONE ENTERS THE MARKET

The first opportunity he had he took. The Palazzo Bagnacavallo was
thrown open to all worthy citizens, the rooms (since no one in those
courting days was held unworthy) were crowded. Ladies, soldiers,
churchmen, humanists in brocade, poets in velvet, a Cardinal, a
cross-eyed Greek who had forsaken usury at Trebizond for moral
philosophy at Nona; Madonna Diamante, too receptive wife of the Count of
Cornuto; Madonna Smeralda, her discreet friend; Madonna Saphira; Madonna
Rubina; frizzed young nobles in parti-coloured hose; humble abbates,
uncured and incurable; a monk crowned with laurel for a sonnet; and a
Knight of the Holy Ghost in retirement;--these were some of the company
among whom Duchess Molly was paraded by her discerning lord, to carry
her smiles of welcome and her pretty ways. Grifone, grave, attentive, in
black, was there, be sure, waiting his turn. It came, and with it Molly,
blushing and overwrought, new from the very kindly salutations of the
Greek. To Grifone she proffered a greeting which was no less kind
because her heart was troubled. Her well of trust in mankind was not yet
dry. Grifone took her hand and bent over it; it was as much as he did to
brush it with his lips. Molly wondered at him.

"You should be Messer Grifone, my Lord's secretary," she said,
faltering.

"Alas, I have that misfortune," replied the youth, with averted eyes.

"Why, I know you very well," said Molly, "but see now that I have
offended you. What is my injury, Signore? What have I done?"

"Madonna," said Grifone (but so low that no other could hear him),
"believe me that the offence is none of your wilful making. It is,
however, irremediable. Nothing but misfortune could overcome such
misfortune as mi