“I know of none,” she interrupted me.

“That may well be.  Nevertheless they exist.”

“This night-riding in so lonely a fashion is little to my taste,” she told me sullenly.  “I am for Fano.”

She had the mercy to spare me the actual words, yet her tone told me as plainly as if she had uttered them that I could go with her or not, as I should choose.  In silence, very sore at heart, I turned my mule’s head once more towards the lights of the town.

“Since you are resolved, so be it,” was all my answer; and we proceeded.

No word did we exchange until we had entered the main street, when she curtly asked me which was the best inn.

“‘The Golden Fish,’” said I, as curtly, and to “The Golden Fish” we went.

Arrived there, Madonna Paola took affairs into her own hands.  She dismounted, leaving the reins with a groom, and entering the common-room she proclaimed her needs to those that occupied it by loudly calling upon the landlord to find her an escort of three or four knaves to accompany her at once to Pesaro, where they should be well rewarded by the Lord Giovanni, her cousin.

I had followed her in, and I ground my teeth at such an egregious piece of folly.  Her hood was thrown back, displaying the lenza of fine linen on her sable hair, and over this a net of purest gold all set with jewels.  Her camorra, too, was open, and in her girdle there were gems for all to see.  There were but a half-dozen men in the room.  Two of these had a venerable air—­they may have been traders journeying to Milan—­whilst a third, who sat apart, was a slender, effeminate-looking youth.  The remaining three were fellows of rough aspect, and when one of them—­a black-browed ruffian—­raised his eyes and fastened them upon the riches that Madonna Paola with such indifference displayed, I knew what was to follow.

He rose upon the instant, and stepping forward, he made her a low bow.

“Illustrious lady,” said he, “if these two friends of mine and I find favour with you, here is an escort ready found.  We are stout fellows, and very faithful.”

Faithful to their cut-throat trade, I made no doubt he meant.

His fellows now rose also, and she looked them over, giving herself the airs of having spent her virgin life in judging men by their appearance.  It was in vain I tugged her cloak, in vain I murmured the word “wait” under cover of my hand.  She there and then engaged them, and bade them make ready to set out at once.  One more attempt I made to induce her to alter her resolve.

“Madonna,” said I, “it is an unwise thing to go a-journeying by night with three unknown men, and of such villainous appearance.  To me they seem no better than bandits.”

We were standing apart from the others, and she was sipping a cup of spiced wine that the host had mulled for her.  She looked at me with a tolerant smile.