say sooth?  I assure you I was the first man whom he told that he was about to marry Bergamina:  so there’s for thee.”  “Well and good,” said Bruno, “if such as he confided in you, well indeed may I do the like.  Know, then, that you will have to proceed on this wise:—­Our company is governed by a captain and a council of two, who are changed every six months:  and on the calends without fail Buffalmacco will be captain, and I councillor:  ’tis so fixed:  and the captain has not a little power to promote the admission and enrolment of whomsoever he will:  wherefore, methinks, you would do well to make friends with Buffalmacco and honourably entreat him:  he is one that, marking your great wisdom, will take a mighty liking to you forthwith; and when you have just a little dazzled him with your wisdom and these fine things of yours, you may make your request to him; and he will not know how to say no—­I have already talked with him of you, and he is as well disposed to you as may be—­and having so done you will leave the rest to me.”  Whereupon:—­“Thy words are to me for an exceeding great joy,” quoth the Master:  “and if he be one that loves to converse with sages, he has but to exchange a word or two with me, and I will answer for it that he will be ever coming to see me; for so fraught with wisdom am I, that I could furnish a whole city therewith, and still remain a great sage.”

Having thus set matters in train, Bruno related the whole affair, point by point, to Buffalmacco, to whom it seemed a thousand years till he should be able to give Master Noodle that of which he was in quest.  The doctor, now all agog to go the course, lost no time, and found no difficulty, in making friends with Buffalmacco, and fell to entertaining him, and Bruno likewise, at breakfast and supper in most magnificent style; while they fooled him to the top of his bent; for, being gentlemen that appreciated excellent wines and fat capons, besides other good cheer in plenty, they were inclined to be very neighbourly, and needed no second bidding, but, always letting him understand that there was none other whose company they relished so much, kept ever with him.

However, in due time the Master asked of Buffalmacco that which he had before asked of Bruno.  Whereat Buffalmacco feigned to be not a little agitated, and turning angrily to Bruno, made a great pother about his ears, saying:—­“By the Most High God of Pasignano I vow I can scarce forbear to give thee that over the head that should make thy nose fall about thy heels, traitor that thou art, for ’tis thou alone that canst have discovered these secrets to the Master.”  Whereupon the Master interposed with no little vigour, averring with oaths that ’twas from another source that he had gotten his knowledge; and Buffalmacco at length allowed himself to be pacified by the sage’s words.  So turning to him:—­“Master,” quoth he, “’tis evident indeed that you have been at Bologna, and have come back hither with