I have been in Saracinesca upon a matter of business, spending my days in the woods with my steward, and my nights in keeping away the cold and the ghosts.

I would have invited you all to join the festivity, had I known how much you were interested.

The beef up there is monstrously tough, and the rats are abominably noisy, but the mountain air is said to be very healthy." Most of the men present felt that they had not only behaved foolishly, but had spoiled the little circle around the Duchessa by introducing a man who had the power to interest her, whereas they could only afford her a little amusement.

Valdarno was still standing, and his chair beside Corona was vacant.

Giovanni calmly installed himself upon it, and began to talk as though nothing had happened.
"You are not dancing, Duchessa," he remarked.