“It is just that which I advise your honour-” he began, but I was now embarked upon the waters of adventure, cheered with the prospect of action, impatient to begin my voyage.  Astonishment cropped his period midway; he gaped as he saw what I did.  I threw upon the floor my sword and finely laced coat; I threw my vest, ruffles, cravat, watch, rings, after them.  I kicked into a corner with my foot my buckled shoes, my silk stockings, my fine gilt garters.  Upon the top of the heap I cast my Paris hat, my gloves and brooch.  “There lies,” I said, “the sinful husk of Francis Strelley.  Let the swine nozzle and rout in it for what they can find to their liking.  And here,” I cried, standing before him in shirt and breeches, barefooted, bareheaded, without a coat to my back, “here, good man, stands the naked soul of that same Francis, which shall go shivering forth to declare his shame, to meet his penance, to stand begging at the door of the Holy Place for the mercy which he has shown himself unworthy of.”

About my disordered hair I tied Aurelia’s ribbon, round my upper arm I placed her garter, to my neck, upon a silken cord, I hung her Venice slipper.  In the bosom of my shirt I placed the little book of devotion which she had given me, and the “Aminta” of Tasso in which we had last read together.  “Farewell, Beppo,” said I; “you may not see Francis again.”

“Where are you going, sir?” he asked me, wondering.

“To Siena—­to Aurelia—­to Heaven!” and he held up his hands.

“You are never going to Siena as you are,” he cried; and I asked him how else he would have me go.

“Your honour will take cold in the chest,” says he, “that’s very plain; but long before that can declare itself your honour will be lodged in the madhouse.  And what is Madam Aurelia to say, by your leave, to an undressed young gentleman which she declined to say to a dressed one?  Let me tell you, young sir,” he added with a sneer, “Siena’s not the only city in Italy where there are madmen.”

“Man,” I said, “what is it to me, do you suppose, whether I am in a madhouse or a prison this night?  I intend for Siena, and shall certainly get there in good time.  Now I will ask you to leave me.”

“Tis your honour is for leaving, not I,” said he, “and though I shall be taking a liberty, it’s in a case of bad-is-the-best I do believe.”  He took off his jacket and put it on the bed.

“What are you proposing, Beppo?” said I.

“A strait-waistcoat,” said he, and came at me with determination.

I was his master in a very few minutes, for I was much stronger than he reckoned for.  When I had him at my discretion, I let him get up and thus addressed him: 

“I have every reason to be extremely offended with you,” I said, “but I believe that you have acted honestly.  Let me, however, recommend you not to interfere in the private and personal affairs of gentlemen until you have fitted yourself to understand them.  I am going upon a journey in a manner which appears becoming to one who is responsible for these lamentable troubles.  I shall leave my property here in your charge, but will ask you to accept such of those articles as are on the floor as may be of use to you.  When you see me again it will be as your indulgent master; but he who now bids you farewell is unworthy to shake your hand.”