Back, my child; I must to my closet, and watch and pray." Thus saying, the old woman, repelling the advance, and silencing the muttered and confused words, of the boy--half affectionate as they were, yet half tetchy and wayward--glided from the chamber.
The boy looked abstractedly at the closing door, and then said to himself--"The dame is always talking riddles: I wonder if she know more of me than she tells, or if she is any way akin to me.

I hope not, for I don't love her much; nor, for that matter, anything else.

I wish she would place me with the Tribune's lady, and then we'll see who among the lads will call Angelo Villani bastard." With that the boy fell to work again at his sword with redoubled vigour.
In fact, the cold manner of this female, his sole nurse, companion, substitute for parent, had repelled his affections without subduing his temper; and though not originally of evil disposition, Angelo Villani was already insolent, cunning, and revengeful; but not, on the other hand, without a quick susceptibility to kindness as to affront, a natural acuteness of understanding, and a great indifference to fear.
Brought up in quiet affluence rather than luxury, and living much with his protector, whom he knew but by the name of Ursula, his bearing was graceful, and his air that of the well-born.

And it was his carriage, perhaps, rather than his countenance, which, though handsome, was more distinguished for intelligence than beauty, which had attracted the notice of the Tribune's bride.

His education was that of one reared for some scholastic profession.