"You are not very wise, Messer Cornelio, and you counsel me to be prudent and to be rash in the same breath." "You make very pretty compliments, Sor Nino," I answered, tartly.

He put out his hand deprecatingly.
"You are as wise as any man can be who is not in love," he said, looking at me with his great eyes.

"But love is the best counsellor." "What is your idea ?" I asked, somewhat pacified.
"You say they ride together every day.

Yes--very good.

The contessina will not ride to-day, partly because she will be worn out with fatigue from last night's interview, and partly because she will make an effort to discover whether I have arrived to-day or not.