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Updated: June 3, 2025
But it did not please Temistocle. Drawing his hat over his eyes, he passed behind it, and having ascertained that the occupants, if there had been any, had already entered the house, he himself went in. The narrow staircase was dimly lighted by small oil-lamps. Temistocle ascended the steps on tiptoe, for he could already hear the men ringing the bell, and talking together in a low voice.
It could not have been a very substantial meal that he ate in that short time. "What did the man say?" was his first question, as he sat down. "He said it should be managed as I desired," I answered. "Of course I did not mention you. Temistocle that is his name will come at midnight, and take you to the door.
Del Ferice read over what he had written with considerable satisfaction, and having addressed his letter to Donna Tullia, he lost no time in despatching Temistocle with it, instructing him to ask if there would be an answer.
He kept one eye upon his master, who presently turned slowly and looked inquiringly at him. "The Duchessa goes to Astrardente in the Sabines on the day after to-morrow," said Temistocle. "It is quite sure that she goes, because she has already sent out two pairs of horses, and several boxes of effects, besides the second housemaid and the butler and two grooms." "Ah! that is very good.
"Well," said Del Ferice, thoughtfully, "you are a great scoundrel, you know. But you have saved me, as you say. There is a scudo for you." Temistocle never refused anything. He took the coin, kissed his master's hand as a final exhibition of servility, and turned back towards the city without another word.
It was very short, as follows: "It may interest you to know that the Duchessa d'Astrardente is going to her castle in the Sabines on the day after to-morrow." This laconic epistle Del Ferice carefully directed to Don Giovanni Saracinesca at his palace, and fastened a stamp upon it; but he concealed the address from Temistocle.
"His servant is a Neapolitan," he reflected. "He probably sends his letters by way of Naples." Accordingly Temistocle was watched instead of his master.
"Now comes the hard part," said Temistocle, producing a razor and a pair of scissors from the bottom of the bag. Del Ferice had too often contemplated the possibility of flight to have omitted so important a detail. "You cannot see you will cut my throat," he murmured plaintively. But the fellow was equal to the emergency.
"Yes," answered his master, rather regretfully; "I suppose you must have the grey trousers at last." "For those grey trousers I will upset heaven and earth," returned Temistocle in great glee. Nothing more was said on that day, but early on the following morning the man entered and opened the shutters, and removed the little oil-light that had burned all night.
Your servant," continued Donna Tullia, blushing scarlet at the remembrance of her interview with Temistocle, "your servant assured me in person that you had gone to Naples " "I see," replied Del Ferice, quietly. He did not wish to press her to a confession of having tried to get the papers in his absence. His object was to put her at her ease.
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