'I loved you always,' I said. 'I tried to hate you, but I could not.'
'Do you remember that night at the Palace? You said you had never cared
for me.'
'Ah, yes! but you did not believe me.'
'I felt it was not true, but I did not know; and it pained me. And then
Claudia--'
'I was so angry with you, I would have done anything to revenge myself;
but still I loved you.'
'But, Claudia--you loved her too?'
'No,' I protested, 'I hated her and despised her; but I tried to forget
you; and I wanted you to feel certain that I no longer cared for you.'
'I hate her.'
'Forgive me,' I said.
'I forgive you everything,' she answered.
I kissed her passionately; and I did not remember that I too had
something to forgive.
The time flew on, and when a ray of light pierced through the windows I
started up in surprise.
'We must make haste,' I said. I went into the ante-room and found Andrea
fast asleep. I shook him.
'At what time do the gates open?' I asked.
He rubbed his eyes, and, on a repetition of the question, answered,
'Five!'
It was half-past four; we had no time to lose. I thought for a minute.
Andrea would have to go to his mother's and find the needful clothes,
then come back; it would all take time, and time meant life and death.
Then, the sight of a young and beautiful woman might arouse the guard's
attention, and Giulia might be recognised.
An idea struck me.
'Undress!' I said to Andrea.
'What?'
'Undress! Quickly.'
He looked at me blankly, I signed to him, and as he was not rapid enough
I tore off his coat; then he understood and in a minute he was standing
in his shirt while I had walked off with his clothes. I handed them to
Giulia and came back. Andrea was standing in the middle of the room, the
very picture of misery. He looked very ridiculous.
'Look here, Andrea,' I said. 'I have given your clothes to a lady, who
is going to accompany me instead of you. Do you see?'
'Yes, and what am I to do?'
'You can stay with your mother for the present, and then, if you like,
you can join me at my house in Citta di Castello.'
'And now?'
'Oh, now you can go home.'
He did not answer, but looked at me dubiously, then at his bare legs and
his shirt, then again at me. I pretended not to understand.
'You seem troubled, my dear Andrea. What is the matter?'
He pointed to his shirt.
'Well?' I said.
'It is usual to go about in clothes.'
'A broad-minded youth like you should be free from such prejudice,' I
answered gravely. 'On such a morning you will find life much pleasanter
without hose and doublet.'
'Common decency--'
'My dear boy, are you not aware that our first parents were content with
fig-leaves, and are you not satisfied with a whole shirt? Besides, have
you not a fine pair of legs and a handsome body; what are you ashamed
of?'
'Everyone will follow me.'
'All the more reason to have something to show them.'
'The guard will lock me up.'
'How will the jailor's daughter be able to resist you in that costume!'