'If he is unhurt, why does he not show himself?' they asked.
A servant assured them that he was dressing, and would be with them at once.... Suddenly there was a shout. Checco had appeared at the top of the stairs. They rushed towards him, surrounding him with cries of joy; they seized his hand, they clung to his legs, some of them touched him all over to see that he was indeed unwounded, others kissed the lappets of his coat.... Bartolomeo Moratini entered the court with his sons, and the people shrunk back as he came forward and embraced Checco.
'Thank God you are saved!' he said. 'It will be an evil day for Forli when anything happens to you.'
The people answered in shouts. But at that moment another sound was heard without—a long and heavy murmur. The people surrounding the doorway looked out and turned in astonishment to their neighbours, pointing to the street; the murmur spread. What was it?
'Make way! Make way!'
A strident voice called out the words, and ushers pushed the people aside. A little troop of men appeared in the entrance, and as they sank back there stepped forward the Count. The Count! Checco started, but immediately recovering himself advanced to meet his visitor. Girolamo walked up to him, and taking him in his arms kissed him on the cheeks, and said,—
'My Checco! My Checco!'
We who knew and the others who suspected looked on with astonishment.
'As soon as I heard the terrible news I rushed to find you,' said the Count. 'Are you safe—quite safe?'
He embraced him again.