Romola . doorway behind him, andstood not far off observing him. It was Piero diCosimo, who took no heed of the preaching, hav-ing come solely to look at the escaped the pause, in which the preacher and hisaudience had given themselves up to inarticulateemotion, the new-comer advanced and touchedBaldassarre on the arm. He looked round withthe tears still slowly rolling down his face, butwith a vigorous sigh, as if he had done with thatoutburst. The painter spoke to him in a lowtone, — Shall I cut your cords for you ? I have heardhow you were made prisoner. Baldassarre did not r
Romola . doorway behind him, andstood not far off observing him. It was Piero diCosimo, who took no heed of the preaching, hav-ing come solely to look at the escaped the pause, in which the preacher and hisaudience had given themselves up to inarticulateemotion, the new-comer advanced and touchedBaldassarre on the arm. He looked round withthe tears still slowly rolling down his face, butwith a vigorous sigh, as if he had done with thatoutburst. The painter spoke to him in a lowtone, — Shall I cut your cords for you ? I have heardhow you were made prisoner. Baldassarre did not reply immediately; heglanced suspiciously at the officious last he said, If you will. Better come outside, said Piero. Baldassarre again looked at him suspiciously;and Piero, partly guessing his thought, smiled,took out a knife, and cut the cords. He beganto think that the idea of the prisoners madnesswas not improbable, there was something so pe-culiar in the expression of his face. Well, he. OUTSIDE THE DUOMO. 41 thought, if he does any mischief, he 11 soon gettied up again. The poor devil shall have a chanceat least. You are afraid of me, he said again in anundertone; you dont want to tell me anythingabout yourself. Baldassarre was folding his arms in enjoymentof the long-absent muscular sensation. He an-swered Piero with a less suspicious look and atone which had some quiet decision in it. No, I have nothing to tell. As you please, said Piero, but perhaps youwant shelter, and may not know how hospitablewe Florentines are to visitors with torn doubletsand empty stomachs. There s an hospital for poortravellers outside all our gates, and, if you liked,I could put you in the way to one. There s nodanger from your French soldier. He has beensent off. Baldassarre nodded, and turned in silent accept-ance of the offer, and he and Piero left the churchtogether. You wouldnt like to sit to me for your por-trait, should you ? said Piero, as they went alongthe Via dell Oriu
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookpublisherbosto, bookyear1893
