He goes by the name of Messer Dario, because he lives in great fear for his safety, and people don't know that he is now in Venice." I answered that I marveled much, and if I could have helped him, would have done so willingly.

Then I asked where they were going, and he said, to dine with Messer Giovanni della Casa, who was the Pope's Legate.

I did not leave the man till I had drawn from him all I required.' Thus spoke the Italian Judas.

The appearance of La Casa on the scene is interesting.

He was the celebrated author of the _Capitolo del Forno_, the author of many sublime and melancholy sonnets, who was now at Venice prosecuting a charge of heresy against Pier Paolo Vergerio, and paying his addresses to a noble lady of the Quirini family.