d at Salvator's as brilliant as a rose-chafer,[6.4] and
his face all sunshine. The magnificence which he saw on all sides of
him, even Salvator himself, who had received him dressed in the richest
apparel, inspired him with deep respect, and, after the manner of
little souls, who, though at first proud and puffed up, at once grovel
in the dust whenever they come into contact with what they feel to be
superior to themselves, Pasquale's behaviour towards Salvator, whom he
would gladly have done a mischief to in Rome, was nothing but humility
and submissive deference.

So much attention was paid to Signor Pasquale from all sides, his
judgment was appealed to so unconditionally, and so much was said about
his services to art, that he felt new life infused into his veins; and
an unusual spirit was awakened within him, so that his utterances on
many points were more sensible than might have been expected. If it be
added that never in his life before had he been so splendidly
entertained, and never had he drunk such inspiriting wine, it will
readily be conceived that his pleasure was intensified from moment to
moment, and that he forgot all the wrong which had been done him at
Rome as well as the unpleasant business which had brought him to
Florence. Often after their banquets the Academicians were wont to
amuse themselves with short impromptu dramatic representations, and so
this evening the distinguished playwright and poet Filippo Apolloni
called upon those who generally took part in them to bring the
festivities to a fitting conclusion with one of their usual
performances. Salvator at once withdrew to make all the necessary
preparations.

Not long afterwards the bushes at the farther end of the
banqueting-hall began to move, the branches with their foliage were
parted, and a little theatre provided with seats for the spectators
became visible.

"By the saints!" exclaimed Pasquale Capuzzi, terrified, "where am I?
Surely that's Nicolo Musso's theatre."

Without heeding his exclamation, Evangelista Toricelli and Andrea
Cavalcanti--both of them grave, respectable, venerable men--took him by
the arm and led him to a seat immediately in front of the stage, taking
their places on each side of him.

This was no sooner done than there appeared on the boards--Formica in
the character of Pasquarello.

"You reprobate, Formica!" shouted Pasquale, leaping to his feet and
shaking his doubled fist at the stage. Toricelli and Caval