He addressed a
few brief words to me, informing me that he should return within four days,
betide what might, setting me tasks upon which I was meanwhile to work, and
bidding me keep the house and be circumspect during his absence.
From the window of my room I saw the doctor get astride his mule. He was
girt with a big sword, but he still wore his long, absurd and shabby gown
and his loose, ill-fitting shoes, so that it was very likely that the
stirrup-leathers would engage his thoughts ere he had ridden far.
I saw him dig his heels into the beast's sides and go ambling down the
little avenue and out at the gate. In the road he drew rein, and stood in
talk some moments with a lad who idled there, a lad whom he was wont to
employ upon odd tasks about the garden and elsewhere.
This, Madonna also saw, for she was watching his departure from the window
of a room below. That she attached more importance to that little
circumstance than did I, I was to learn much later.
At last he pushed on, and I watched him as he dwindled down the long grey
road that wound along the river-side until in the end he was lost to view--
for all time, I hoped; and well had it been for me had my idle hope been
realized.
I supped alone that night with no other company than Busio's, who
ministered to my needs.
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