The hostess was all ears, struck by the respectful manner in which this very evidently noble lady addressed a Fool.  I opened the door for her.

“You may leave us now,” said I.  “I will come to you presently.”

When she was gone I turned once more to the lady, my course resolved upon.  My hate had conquered my last doubt.  What first imported was that I should get to Pesaro and to Madonna Lucrezia.

“You were about to ask me,” said I, “that I should accompany you to Pesaro.”

“I hesitated, sir,” she murmured.  I bowed respectfully.

“There was not the need, Madonna,” I assured her.  “I am at your service.”

“But, Messer Boccadoro, I have no claim upon you.”

“Surely,” said I, “the claim that every distressed lady has upon a man of heart.  Let us say no more.  It were best not to delay in setting out, although I can scarcely think that there is any imminent danger from Ramiro del’ Orca now.”

“Who is he?” she inquired.  I told her, whereupon—­”

Did they come up with you?” she asked.  “What passed between you?”

Succinctly I related what had chanced, and how I had sent Ramiro on a fool’s errand, adding the particulars of the flight of her grooms, and of how I had rid myself of the litter and the second mule.  She heard me, her eyes sparkling, and at times she clapped her hands with a glee that was almost childish, vowing that this was splendid, that was brave.  I allayed what little fears remained her by pointing out how effectively we had effaced our tracks, and how vainly now Messer del’ Orca might beat the country in quest of a lady in a litter, escorted by four grooms.

And now she beset me with fresh thanks and fresh expressions of wonder at my generous readiness to befriend her—­a wonder all devoid of suspicion touching the single-mindedness of my purpose.  But I reminded her that we had little leisure to stand talking, and left her to make her preparations for the journey, whilst I went below to see that my mule and her horse were saddled.  I made bold to pay the reckoning, and when presently she spoke of it, with flaming cheeks, and would have pledged me a jewel, I bade her look upon it as a loan which anon she might repay me when I had brought her safely to her kinsman’s Court at Pesaro.

Thus, at last, we left Cagli, and took the road north, riding side by side and talking pleasantly the while, ever concerning the matter of her flight and of her hopes of shelter at Pesaro, which, being nearest to her heart, found readiest expression.  I went wrapped in my cloak once more, my head-dress hidden ’neath my broad-brimmed hat, so that the few wayfarers we chanced on need not marvel to see a lady in such friendly intercourse with a Fool.  And so dull was I that day as not to marvel, myself, at such a state of things.

The sun was declining, a red ball of fire, towards the mountains on our left, casting a blood-red glow upon the snow that everywhere encompassed us, as we cantered briskly on towards Fossombrone.