In order not to be absolutely frozen, he sat in a large cloak, and had beside him, or in his hands, a little earthen-ware pot filled with burning braize--a scaldino, as it is called,--the use of which is common to the noble in his palace, and the beggar in the street.
He pointed to a chair near the table, and as he spoke, paid his visitor the ordinary courtesy of offering him his scaldino.
"My duty, my mere duty, Eccellenza," said Signor Ercole, letting his cloak fall gracefully from his shoulders, and declining the proffered pot of braize with an action that might have suited an Emperor.

"Of course my first care and object on arriving was to wait on your Excellency.

I arrived with barely a breath of life remaining in my body.
What a journey! What a journey! But if I had been frozen quite I could not have forgotten that my first duty was to report what I have accomplished to your Excellency." "Thanks, good Signor Ercole, thanks; you know the interest I take in all that concerns the honour of our theatre, and the pleasures of our citizens; and I may truly add, in all that touches your interest, my good Signor Ercole." "Troppo buono! Eccellenza! Troppo buono davvero!" said the little man, half rising from his chair, to execute a bow in return for the Marchese's speech, while his cloak fell around his legs.
"I suppose that in such weather as this the diligence was behind its time--E naturale--but I have already heard, in a general way, that you have been successful.

I congratulate you on it, Signor Ercole, with all my heart!" "I trusted that I should have been the first to tell your Excellency the news.

I am conscious that it was due to you, Signor Marchese, to be the first to hear the result of my negotiation.