Page:Matteo Bandello - twelve stories (IA cu31924102029083).pdf/320

 draw up the deed of gift, which he was not slow to do, with all such clauses as the judge thought expedient to put in.

In this way things went on so smoothly that all the while that Messer Buonaccorsio held the post of judge he was able to meet his mistress whenever he liked. So pleasant indeed was this intimacy to him that, when the two years were over, he managed to obtain the office of deputy-provost and afterwards that of provost, winning golden opinions from all, but most from Fridiano, who not only would credit no ill of his lordship, but, even had he seen him actually embracing Beatrice, would never have believed his own eyes.