ke. "Beatrice," he said, "here is bad news. Messer Simone of
the Bardi is coming hither at the head of an armed following to claim
you and take you."

Beatrice said nothing in reply to these words. She only clasped her
hands against her heart and looked wistfully at her lover.

Dante spoke. "Surely this cannot be, Messer Folco, seeing that the Peace
of the City was put upon him, as upon me, yesterday, before all
Florence."

"Messer Simone is no stickler for principles," Folco said, sourly; "he
cares for no laws that he can break. But in this case he claims to be
acting according to his right, since the breaking of the peace comes
from you."

"From me!" Dante stared at Folco in amazement.

But Messer Folco nodded his head emphatically in support of what he had
just affirmed. "I have it all," he said, "from a friend of mine that has
just come hotfoot from his neighborhood to give me warning, so that we
may be ready to yield without making difficulties. Messer Simone affirms
that you have broken the peace by visiting his wedded wife without his
knowledge or consent, and that he is in his rights as a citizen, a
husband, and a man in coming here to claim his bride and to defend her
from your advances."

"I do no wrong in coming here," Dante said, sternly. "I came here
without secrecy, as I had a right to come if you were not unwilling."

"Yes, yes," Folco said, "you came here without secrecy; but Simone's
man, Maleotti, sees you and runs to tell his master, and presently his
master will be here to claim his wife."

"What will you do, then?" asked Dante, studying the elder's face.

Messer Folco spoke proudly. "Folco Portinari will defend his daughter.
Folco Portinari will defend his house so long as the stones of its walls
hold together. My servants are arming now. I have sent to the Signory
for aid from the Priors. If the Bardi beards me, let him look to
himself." He turned to Dante, and addressed him. "Young man, I know you
better than I did, and rate you higher. I overheard your talk with my
daughter just now, as I had a right to do, and I esteem you a brave and
honorable man. You have already shown that you can serve the state. If
there comes a happy way out of this tangle, I shall be glad to welcome
you again. But now it were well you should leave us."

Dante respectfully saluted Folco. "I thank you with all my heart," he
said, simply, "for to-day's favor. I take my leave quickly, for I have a
word to say to