ull face, and large kindly eyes--and I asked her whether a lady had
arrived there in safety that morning. At first she seemed mistrustful,
but when I had assured her that I was in that lady's service, she
frankly owned that Madonna was safe in her own room. Thither I allowed
her to lead me, at once eager and reluctant. Eager with my own eyes to
assure myself of her perfect safety; reluctant that, since a man may not
penetrate to a lady's chamber hat on head, by uncovering I must disclose
my shameful trade. Yet there was nothing for it but a bold face, and
as I mounted the stairs in the woman's wake, I told myself that I was
doubly a fool to be tormented by qualms of such a nature.

Hat in hand I followed the hostess into Madonna's room. The lady rose
from the window-seat to greet me, her face pale and her gentle eyes
wearing an anxious look. At sight of my head crowned with the crested,
horned hood of folly, a frown of bewilderment drew her brows together,
and she looked more closely to see whether I was indeed the man who had
befriended her that morning in her extremity. In the eyes of the hostess
I caught a gleam of recognition. She knew me for the merry loon who had
entertained her guests one night a fortnight since, when on my way from
Pesaro to Rome. But before she could give expression to this discovery
of hers, the lady spoke.

"Leave us awhile, my woman," she commanded. But I stayed the hostess as
she was withdrawing.

"This lady," said I, "will need an escort of three or four stout knaves
upon a journey that she is going. She will be setting out as soon as may
be."

"But what of my grooms?" cried the lady.

"Madonna," I informed her, "they have deserted you. That is the
reason of my presence here. You shall hear the story of it presently.
Meanwhile, we must arrange to replace them." And I turned again to the
hostess.

She was standing in thought, a doubtful expression on her face. But as I
looked at her she shook her head.

"There is no such escort to be found to-day in Cagli," she made answer.
"The town is all but empty, and every lusty man is either gone on the
pilgrimage to the Holy House of Loretto, or else is at Pesaro for the
Feast of the Epiphany."

It was in vain that I protested that a couple of knaves might surely
be found. She answered me that such as were in Cagli were there because
they would not be elsewhere.

The lady's face grew clouded as she listened, for from my insistence she
shr