Page:Matteo Bandello - twelve stories (IA cu31924102029083).pdf/365

 had the whole sum remitted to Milan by bills of exchange. In fact, he did nothing, and bought nothing, without first consulting him. All at once, the Venetian gets news of his daughter's flight from Padua, and of their being unable to find any trace of her whereabouts. Grieved beyond measure, the good man determined to leave everything and return to Padua. Feigning to share in his sorrow at such misfortune, Galeazzo offered to go with him, and indeed to accompany him whereever he wished. The Venetian thanked him for his offer, and departed; but, hearing nothing of Lucrezia, his missing daughter, he came back to Venice to find Galeazzo still there. Soon afterwards, the young man returned to his home in Lombardy, never daring to say a word to his mother about the girl that he had carried off.

The servant had, meantime, hired a suitable house, furnishing this as his master had instructed him, Galeazzo's nurse and her husband being put there as guardians to the girl. And here, to the marvellous pleasure of both concerned, Galeazzo culled of his Lucrezia the virgin flower and fruit. More did he love her than his very life, passing almost every night in her com- v