'Er--have you been home?'
'Of course,' I answered, smiling; 'it was the first thing I thought of.'
I was not sure; I thought a look of relief came over Matteo's face. But
why? I could not understand, but I thought it of no consequence, and it
passed from my memory. I told Matteo the news I had, and left him. I
wished to get back to my wife.
On my way I happened to see Claudia Piacentini coming out of a house. I
was very surprised, for I knew that my efforts had succeeded, and
Ercole's banishment decreed. I supposed the order had not yet been
issued. I was going to pass the lady without acknowledgment, for since
my marriage she had never spoken to me, and I could well understand why
she did not want to. To my astonishment she stopped me.
'Ah, Messer Filippo!'