I lifted my eyes, and saw him standing quite close to me--a tall man,
muscular and strong, with big heavy face, and prominent jaw bones, the
nose long and hooked, small keen eyes, very mobile. His skin was
unpleasant, red and coarse; like his wife, he was dressed with great
magnificence.
'One sees the sailor grandfather in him,' I said, remembering that
Sixtus's father, the founder of the family, was a common sailor at
Rovese.
He was talking to Checco, who was apparently speaking to him of us, for
he turned and stepped forward to Matteo.
'The prodigal has returned,' he said. 'We will not fail to kill the
fatted calf. But this time you must stay with us, Matteo; we can give
you service as well as the Duke of Calabria.'
Matteo smiled grimly; and the Count turned to me.
'Checco has told me of you also, sir; but I fear there is no chance of
keeping you, you are but a bird of passage--still, I hope you will let
us make you welcome at the Palace.'
All the time he was speaking his eyes kept moving rapidly up and down,
all round me, and I felt he was taking in my whole person.... After
these few words he smiled, a harsh, mechanical smile, meant to be
gracious, and with a courteous bow moved on. I turned to Matteo and saw
him looking after the Count very sourly.
'What is it,' I asked.
'He is devilish condescending,' he answered. 'When last I was here it
was hail fellow, well met, but, good God! he's put on airs since then!'
'Your cousin said something to the same effect,' I remarked.
'Yes, I understand what he meant now.'
We strolled round the room, looking at the people and talking.
'Look,' I said, 'there's a handsome woman!' pointing to a voluptuous
beauty, a massive creature, full-brested and high-coloured.
'Your eye is drawn to a handsome woman like steel to a magnet, Filippo,'
answered Matteo, laughing.
'Introduce me,' I said, 'if she is not ferocious.'
'By no means; and she has probably already fixed her eyes upon you. But
she is wife to Ercole Piacentini.'
'I don't care. I mean to kill the man afterwards; but that is no reason
why I should not make myself pleasant to his spouse.'
'You will do her a service in both ways,' he replied; and, going up to
her, 'Claudia,' he said, 'your fatal eyes have transfixed another
heart.'
Her sensual lips broke into a smile.
'Have they that power?' She fixed them on me, and made room on the couch
on which she was sitting. Neither Matteo nor I were slow to take the
hint, for I took my place and he his leave. 'I wonder you have not
already fallen victim to Madonna Giulia,' said Claudia, looking
languorously at me, and glancing over to the other lady.
'One does not worship the moon when the sun is shining,' I replied
politely.
'Giulia is more like the sun, for she gathers all men in her embrace. I
am more modest.'