'I am no practised troubadour or story-singer. And this tale of a journey to the stars should be told under the stars.'
'Why, so it shall, then. They shine brightly enough. You shall show me Facino's and perhaps your own.' She rose and commanded her ladies to attend her.
Castruccio fetched a sigh of relief.
'Give thanks,' he said audibly to those about him, 'for Heaven's mercy which has spared you this weariness.'
The door at the end of the hall stood open to the terrace and the moonlight. Thither the Princess conducted Bellarion, her ladies in close attendance.
Approaching the threshold they came upon the Marquis Gian Giacomo, reeling clumsily beside the Countess of Ronsecco, who was almost on the point of tears. He paused in his caperings that he might ogle his sister.
'Where do you go, Valeria? And who's this long-shanks?'
She approached him. 'You are tired, Giannino, and the Countess, too, is tired. You would be better resting awhile.'
'Indeed, highness!' cried the young Countess, eagerly thankful.
But the Marquis was not at all of his sister's wise opinion.