At that moment a peasant happened to come along, and I asked him if a carriage could be had to drive me to Cesena.

"I have one, sir," he said, "but I live half a league from here." "Go and get it, I will wait for you here." While I was waiting for the return of the peasant with his vehicle, some forty mules laden with provisions came along the road towards Rimini.

It was still raining fast, and the mules passing close by me, I placed my hand mechanically upon the neck of one of them, and following the slow pace of the animals I re-entered Rimini without the slightest notice being taken of me, even by the drivers of the mules.

I gave some money to the first street urchin I met, and he took me to Therese's house.
With my hair fastened under a night-cap, my hat pulled down over my face, and my fine cane concealed under my coat, I did not look a very elegant figure.

I enquired for Bellino's mother, and the mistress of the house took me to a room where I found all the family, and Therese in a woman's dress.