It happened that I wore a sword for the first time in my life--a matter from which I gathered great satisfaction--having been adjudged worthy of the honour by virtue that I was to be Madonna's escort.

To the hilt I now set hand impetuously, and would have turned to strike that foul slanderer dead, but that Giuliana restrained me, a wild alarm in her eyes.
"Come!" she panted in a whisper.

"Come away!" So imperious was the command that it conveyed to my mind some notion of the folly I should commit did I not obey it.

I saw at once that did I make an ensample of this scurrilous scandalmonger I should thereby render her the talk of that vile town.

So I went on, but very white and stiff, and breathing somewhat hard; for pent-up passion is an evil thing to house.
Thus came we out of the town and to the shady banks of the gleaming Po.