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It was a bad world, he reflected, and the counterfeiter might have a clever hunchback for a servant, with a knack of fixing his eyes as Cucurullo did, and of putting great earnestness into his tone. So far, the innkeeper had only done what the law had required of him, except in the matter of turning out two women who could not pay for their lodging, and in doing this the law would support him.
Cucurullo had betrayed no surprise at what the host told him, and he did not seem inclined to pay any immediate attention to the latter's advice, though it was distinctly friendly.
'It is the first time you have risked the life of a lady, answered Cucurullo quietly, for he understood his master very well. 'We had better go down and see about getting horses, Stradella answered, and he led the way to the stairs, his man following in his footsteps.
This young gentleman may be like others you have known, but besides that he is very powerful in Rome, and can do what he likes with impunity. He is so much in love with our mistress that he no longer understands, as we say in the South. He has lost his senses. 'But he has his wits left, observed Pina sharply. 'And he owes a grudge for that scratch in the arm, added Cucurullo thoughtfully.
The hours passed slowly enough in the solitude of the little upper room in which Cucurullo spent most of that day and the next, and the intervening night; for he thought it wiser not to be seen much in the town, being what he was, a mark for men's eyes wherever he went.
The sentry stopped Cucurullo and asked his business. 'I am the servant of the gentleman who has been arrested by mistake at the inn, the hunchback answered humbly. 'My master had sent me out on an errand, and when I came in I learnt the news. So I have come to wait for him.
That is all. Three pauls will pay for everything. 'You are very obliging, Cucurullo said again, as he paid the money. 'Your charges are very moderate. Since you act in such a friendly manner, I will tell you something.
But Cucurullo himself, good soul, was pleased at having forced Tommaso to slacken his pace and listen to him. 'I come of my own intention, dear friend, he said, 'because I am in constant anxiety about the Lady Ortensia.
By the first faint light she recognised the tower of the Capitol, and in less than a quarter of an hour after that she found Cucurullo sitting on one of the stone chain-posts outside the Palazzo Altieri, his two long legs hanging down almost to the pavement, and his humped body looking like a large ball covered with a short brown cloak, and surmounted by a servant's high-crowned black felt hat with a wide brim.
She was still kneeling, and Cucurullo was standing beside her, hat in hand. It was now so dark in the body of the Basilica that Stradella could not possibly see any one there, especially as he was dazzled by the many candles that illuminated the upper end of the church. Gambardella bowed gravely and bent down to speak near Ortensia's ear.
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