Pish!" he laughed again, as, turning, he unhooked his lute from where it hung upon the wall.

"The by-blow of some condottiero, who blends with his father's bullying arrogance the peasant soul of his careless mother.

And I fear that such a one as that shall touch the heart of my peerless Valentina?
Why, it is a thought that does her but poor honour." And dismissing Francesco from his mind, he sought the strings with his fingers, and thrummed an accompaniment as he returned to the window, his voice, wondrous sweet and tender, breaking into a gentle love-song..