nice, you must know," said Bellaroba, "we set great store by
green boughs, having so few of them. We think that harshness and clamour
may hunt the canals, but that birds can sing in gardens of a world
really joyful. What a cloud of green trees--look, look how near the sky
comes to them! Oh, my Angioletto, we are going to be so happy!" And the
young girl laid her hot cheek on her lover's shoulder.

He, though her premises were undeniable, had his doubts. Her words set
him wondering what was to be the end of this light-hearted adventure.

"My dear," said he, "if trees get in a man's way of villainy or
incommode his pleasures he will cut them down, depend upon it."

"Well, silly boy," she cried, and gave him a peck of a kiss, "and does
not that prove what I say, that there are no villainies in Ferrara? For,
see, the trees are as thick as a forest." She made him laugh again
before many paces. His ringing tones caught the ears of Captain Mosca,
and set that great man scowling.

"If I don't get a crumb down that yapping gullet, call me not Mosca," he
grumbled.

"Speak a little louder, Signor Capitano," said his pillion.

"Your pardon, Madonna Olimpia," he answered, "but I believe I was
breathing a prayer on account of the little love-boy yonder."

Olimpia laughed. "I love him as much as you do, I dare swear," said she;
"but he may be very useful. Remember that I am but a poor gentlewoman
with my fortune to make."

"Give me the making of it, my angel," cried the Captain, crushing his
heart with his fist. "You shall have the most crowded _cortile_ in
Ferrara. May I give you a humble bit of advice?"

"Certainly you may."

"It will be this, then, that you hold off from Monna Nanna and keep
yourself very much to yourself. Between us we can arrange a pretty
future. I know Monna Nanna better than becomes me. Believe me, the
acquaintance would become you still less. But with such talents as I
have--and they are all yours--I can arrange for you a most proper
dwelling-place which shall cost little and bring much in."

"But we cannot live there alone, Captain."

"Hey! I am beforehand. I parry with the head, my duchess," cried the
delighted Mosca. "I have thought of all that. There is an old lady of my
friendship in the city, by name Donna Matura. She is something decayed
in estate o' these days, has fewer crusts than teeth, poor soul, but
has mingled with the highest. She will be all that you could wish, and
you more than