I have employment for you, Messer Biancomonte." I bowed my head in token of my gratitude.
"You shall find me diligent and faithful, my lord," I promised him.
"I know it," he sniffed, "else should I not employ you." He turned from me, and stepped back to his table.

He took up a package, fingered it a moment, then dropped it again, and shot me one of his quiet glances.
"That is my answer to Madonna Lucrezia's letter," he said slowly, his voice as smooth as silk, "and I desire that you shall carry it to Pesaro for me, and deliver it safely and secretly into her hands." I could do no more than stare at him.

It seemed as if my mind were stricken numb.
"Well ?" he asked at last; and in his voice there was now a suggestion of steel beneath the silk.

"Do you hesitate ?" "And if I do," I answered, suddenly finding my voice, "I do no more than might a bolder man.

How can I, who am banned by punishment of death, contrive to penetrate again into the Court of Pesaro and reach the Lady Lucrezia ?" "That is a matter that I shall leave to the shrewd wit which all Italy says is the heritage of Boccadoro, the Prince of Fools.