But he excused himself in the end.

He must on.

He had business to discharge in the town, and he must return at once and render an account of our safe journey to the Countess at Mondolfo.

If he tarried now it would grow late ere he reached Mondolfo, and late travelling pleased him not at all.

As it was his bones would be weary and his flesh tender from so much riding; but he would offer it up to Heaven for his sins.
And when the too-amiable Fifanti had protested how little there could be the need in the case of one so saintly as Messer Arcolano, the priest made his farewells.