The return of Fra Palamone with the gear put an end to our talk. I said,
"Come with me, Belviso, as you will--but come"; and his reply was,
"Servo suo."

I left the honest family at Sinalunga calling blessings on my name, and
rode forward on a good horse to Arezzo. By my orders Fra Palamone kept
behind me. By his own determination, Belviso held him company, and led
the sumpter-horse.




CHAPTER XXXIX

VIRGINIA DECLINES THE HEIGHTS


I took up my lodgings at the Bear, in Arezzo, and made all such
preparations to receive my wife as were becoming. I engaged a woman to
wait upon her, had a withdrawing-room--as the French say, a boudoir--
fitted up, and caused her bedchamber to be hung with the best curtain
and wall furniture the place could afford, I then proceeded to dine, but
told the landlord that he must be prepared at any moment to place a
fresh cover on the table, with a bottle of his most excellent wine. To
Belviso, who persisted in playing valet, and who told me that he had
been in Arezzo before more than once, I entrusted the privilege--though
I grudged it him--of seeking far and wide through the town for
Virginia's lodging. I said, "Brother, you failed me once, in spite of
yourself, when you tried so bravely to find my wife. Don't fail me this