thee how necessary it is to regard her own honour, is resolved to fly
danger rather than brave it. I have gone to Arezzo with all thy money
safe in my bosom, to put the breadth of Tuscany between me and my
persecutor. Make thy affairs as thou wilt, thou art free of Virginia,
who will never blame thee. If thou need her or what she hath of thine,
thou wilt find her at Arezzo, an honest woman,

"Who kisses thy hands,

"VIRGINIA."

Without a word of explanation I returned to the church and held up my
letter before the veiled image of the Madonna of Provenzano. "Here,
lady, is my duty," I said, "here is my hire. The lowliest of thy
clients, I will never shirk the yoke put upon me. Yet do Thou,
Patroness, make it sweet!" I kissed the letter and put it in my bosom;
then I went back to Belviso, embraced him, thanked him for his
extraordinary pains on my behalf, and said that as soon as possible
after the forthcoming performances of the company I should go to Arezzo.
He sighed and looked unhappy. "I knew that you would leave us," he said;
"it was only to be expected."

"Yes, yes, Belviso," said I, "I must indeed rejoin Virginia. I see very
well that she is my only means of redemption."

"And what is to become of me, Don Francis?" says he suddenly, catching
hold of my hand and staying me in the street. "What is to become of me
without you, who are in turn MY only means of redemption?"

I said, "My poor youth, you are putting upon me more than I can bear--or