_Letter of the Lover._
My adored Signora:
I wish to know whether you can leave Sunday evening, that is,
to-morrow evening, for if you do not go away to-morrow evening, God
knows when you shall be able to do so, because of the scarcity of
carriages, owing to the fact that on Wednesday the Bishop departs with
three carriages. Therefore, if you can go, as soon as you have read
this letter of mine, return to the window and throw it to me as a sign
that I may reserve a carriage beforehand, which may be secured from
some one or other. If I secure the carriage to-morrow, in passing
along there I will let fall my handkerchief one time only. Then for
the rest, to-morrow evening I will wait from eight o'clock in the
evening on as long as necessary. And as soon as you see that they are
sound asleep, open the door for me, that I may help you make up your
bundles and collect the money. Above all, try to put some into all
their cups, and do not yourself drink it. And if by ill luck they
shall find it out, and shall threaten you with death, open indeed the
door, that I may die with you or free you from their hands. And
praying God that he will make this design of ours turn out well, I
declare myself as ever.
Your Most Faithful Servant and Lover,
MIRTILLO.
It is a very bad sign that the Jealous One seems pacified, and that he
has said you were at the window. Because he will wish to find out in
that way what you are doing at the window, and for what purpose you
are there. For Conti has told me that now he is more jealous than at
first, and that if he find out about anything, he will wish to avenge
himself by putting us to death. He wishes to do the same to me, and
that is what will happen. Here then has come at last the breaking of
the chord.
Most Beloved Signora:
I have received your note full of those expressions (and then loving
words follow). Be pleased to receive me into your bosom, in which I
rest all my affections, etc. Consign to the ashes this note of mine.
_Another letter of Francesca._
My Revered Signor:
Driven by the affection which I feel for you, I am forced to
contradict what I sent you yesterday evening in that letter when I
said I did not wish to tell you to come here. If you did not tell me
then, I tell you now that I would wish you to come here this evening
at the same hour as day before yesterday evening. I have indeed
thought that towers are not moved by such light blows. But if you do
[not?] wish to come here (that there may be no occasion for you to
break your promise to some beloved lady or even though it may not be
convenient), I do not wish to be the cause. Therefore if you wish to
come here, pass along as soon as you have read this, etc.