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This resolve of Peppe's prompted the Count to offer to conduct him to Urbino on the morrow, since he, himself, would be journeying that way an offer which the fool accepted without hesitation and with lively gratitude. In the morning Francesco set out once more, accompanied by his servants, Fanfulla, and the fool.
But Francesco only laughed as, linking arms with Fanfulla, he passed down the gallery on his way to the apartments to which the servant was conducting them. In a measure the events that followed would almost tend to show that the fool was right.
"It would seem, sir, that my judgment was at fault in esteeming his condition," he excused himself. "Your judgment?" returned the hot Fanfulla. "And who bade you judge? Go cut your milk-teeth, boy, and meddle not with men if you would live to be a man yourself some day."
"Where is my lord?" he inquired, through teeth that chattered from the cold of his immersion, wondering vaguely who this very magnificent gentleman might be. "Is Messer Francesco del Falco your lord?" asked Romeo. "He is, sir. I have had the honour to serve him these ten years. I bring him letters from Messer Fanfulla degli Arcipreti. They are very urgent. Will you lead me to him?"
"Your Excellency will be tired," cried Fabrizio, with that ready solicitude which is ever at the orders of the great. "A cup of Puglia wine, my lord. Here, Fanfulla," he called, to the young nobleman who had acted as usher. But the new-comer silenced him and put the matter aside with a gesture. "Let that wait. Time imports as you little dream.
These riders were the Count of Aquila and Fanfulla degli Arcipreti, followed by Lanciotto leading a mule that bore the arms of those knights-errant, and Zaccaria leading another with their general baggage. All night they rode beneath the stars, and on until some three hours after sunrise, when they made halt in a hollow of the hills not far from Fabriano.
But if a favour you would do me, let me see Zaccaria the man that came to Roccaleone to-night." This Ercole had done for him. Now Zaccaria was fully aware of the contents of the letter he had carried, having been instructed by Fanfulla against the chance arising of his being compelled, for his safety, to destroy it an expedient to which he now bitterly repented him that he had not had recourse.
I tell you, Fanfulla, that were I at present in my cousin's shoes, I would cast crown and purple at whomsoever had a fancy for them ere they crushed the life out of me and left me a poor puppet.
But now the slender piping of the Voice of Truth is stifled by the raucous note of eventide vendors of the <i>Capitale</i>, the <i>Liberta</i> and the <i>Fanfulla</i>; and Rome reading unexpurgated news is another Rome indeed. For every subscriber to the <i>Liberta</i> there may well be an antique masker and reveller less.
The man turned from him impatiently, and rising his voice: "Fanfulla!" he called over his shoulder, and then, after a moment's pause, again: "Ola, Fanfulla!" "I am here, my lord," came an answering voice from behind a clump of bushes on their right, and almost immediately the very splendid youth who had gone to sleep in its shadow stood up and came round to them.
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