Romola

caring to know what was probably of little interest to any but born Florentines, soon became tired of waiting for Bratti's escort; and chose t

his hand into a purse or wallet that hung at his waist, a

hich was not Tuscan or even Italian. 'I thought I had one

likely that he had found a quarter of the market w

haps, was weary after her labour in the morning twilight in preparation for her walk to market from some castello three or four miles off, for she seemed to have gone to sleep in that half-standing, half-leaning posture. Nevertheless, our stranger had no compunction in awaking her; but the means he chose were so gentle, that it seemed to the damsel in her dream as if a little sprig of thyme had touched her lips while she was stooping to gather the herbs. The dream was broken, however

m dying with hunger, and the scent of milk m

e mantle was dropped, and in a few moments a large cup of fragrant milk was held out to him. He paid no further compliments before raising it to his lips, and while he was drinking, the little maiden found cou

hung by the side of the mule, and when the stranger set down his cup, he saw a large piece of bread held out towards

he said. 'No, I have had enough without

, as if in impatience at his refusal; and as the long dark eyes of the stranger rested on

ying his hand on it, 'I shall get bolder still, a

ss herself. She blushed deeply, and lifted up a corner of her mantle to her mouth again. But just as the too presumptuous stranger was

anger-on of the dicers - or something worse. Go! dance off, and find fitter

tener. She was a stout but brawny woman, with a man's jerkin slipped over her green serge gamurra or gown, and the peaked hood of some departed mantle fastened round her sun-burnt face, which, under all its coarseness and prematu

g smile, but Monna Ghita was not a woman to betray any weakness,

eels again. And what fool's tricks hast thou been after, Tessa?' she added, turning to her daughter, whose frightened face was more inviting to abuse. 'Giving away the milk and victuals, it seems; ay, ay, thoud'st

sa for taking pity on a hungry traveller, who found himself unexpectedly without a quattrino.

hile before I shall laugh, I can tell you. Get along, with a bad Easter! else I'll make a b

isite of eloquence, Bratti, who had come up a minute or two before, had been saying to his c

stranger is a Greek, else I'm not the barber who has had the sole and exclusive shaving of the excellent Demetrio, and drawn more than one sor

some sport; 'what has happened to cause such a thunders

of jewels, 'he did right to run away from me, if he meant to get into mischief. I can swear I found him under the Loggia de' Cerchi

admiring the charms of Monna Ghita, and has attempted to kiss her while her daughter's back is turned; for I observe tha

ta here at first. I begged a cup of milk from her daughter, and had accepted this gift of bread, for which I was making a humble offerin

id Monna Ghita, fiercely, elbowing Nello, and leading forward her mule so as to compel the strang

ith Nello out of the way of an approaching market-cart; and the glance was just long enough to seize the b

shing my bag and basket any farther, and I have business at home. But you'll remember our bargain, because if you found

and then turned away with Nello up the narrow street which