I am a man of very gentle ways, as you may have heard, Messer Buffoon.

But see that you forget at once my station and my name, or you may realise how little they need buffoons in the Court of Heaven." "My lord, forgive.

I shall obey you," answered the hunchback, with a stricken manner.

And then through the glade came a voice--a woman's voice, wondrous sweet and rich--calling: "Peppino! Peppino!" "It is my mistress calling me," quoth the fool, leaping to his feet.
"So that you own a mistress, though Folly be your only master," laughed the Count.

"It would pleasure me to behold the lady whose property you have the honour to be, Ser Peppino." "You may behold her if you but turn your head," Peppino whispered.
Idly, with a smile upon his lips that was almost scornful, the Lord of Aquila turned his eyes in the direction in which the fool was already walking.