ste for music and
singing she has, is a friend of poets and such like. The antechamber is
full of them; and there they are--on promotion, you understand. But
though she has a wonderful free spirit, she is no beauty, you must know.
Her mouth is too big, and her eyes are too small. It is a kissing mouth,
as we say, my dear, and a speaking eye--and there you have Madama
Lionella, who loves minstrels."

"Tell me," said Olimpia here, "who is that pretty gentleman with my
friend? Is he not a minstrel?"

The Captain turned in his saddle and, when he had observed, snorted his
disdain.

"That sprout, my deary?" said he. "Some such dapper little
chamber-fellow, I'll warrant you. A lap-dog, a lady's toy, with a piping
voice and an eye for mischief. Yes, he'll be for climbing by Madama
Lionella's back-stair. He has the make of it--just the doll she loves to
dandle." Which was all the Captain had to say for Angioletto.

Little as it was, it was more than Angioletto had to say for Mosca. He
was, indeed, serenely indifferent to the lean brown man. From the moment
of their setting out, he and Bellaroba had wagged tongues in concert,
and before they had made a dozen miles each knew the other's story to
the roots. Angioletto's was no great matter. The Capuchins at Borgo had
taught him his rudiments, his voice had taken him into the choir, his
manners into the sacristy. He had been Boy-Bishop twice, had become a
favourite of the Warden's, learnt Latin, smelt at Greek, scribbled
verses. Then, one Corpus Christi, he got his chance. There was to be a
Pageant--"Triumph," he called it--a Triumph of Love and a Triumph of
Chastity, wherein by the good offices of his friend the Warden he was
chosen for the part of Love. It was to be assumed that he pleased, for
Chastity (who was a great lady of the place) took him into her service;
and there he stayed until, as he explained, she married again. She had
been a widow, it seems, when she took part in the Triumphs.

Bellaroba was much interested.

"Was the lady kind to you, Angioletto?"

"Oh, very kind."

"But you had to go, you say?"

"Yes. It was judged better."

"But I don't quite see. If she was kind I wonder why you judged it
better to go, or why she did."

"It did not rest wholly with us," said Angioletto.

Bellaroba did not pursue the subject. But after a short pause--

"And are you now from her house?" she asked.

Angioletto shook his head. "That was a very long time ago," sa