Page:Victor Hugo's Works (Guernsey Edition) v14.djvu/34

16

Here comes one who may claim to be consulted

Upon this business.

Guido Malatesta!

Why, how now, Count? You left our feast so soon,

I thought you warm i' the sheets this good half hour.

I had forgot my duty to your lordship,

So now repair my lack of courtesy.

To-morrow I purpose riding to Cesena,

And would not go without due leave-taking.

This jumps well with my project.

[Aloud.] What, to-morrow!

You ride alone?

No, with my wife.

The devil!

[Aloud.] Why, this is sudden. She spoke no word of this

To-night.

Tush! Women know not their own minds,

How should they know their husband's?

But your reason?

Your air here in Faenza is too warm,

And scarce so pure as fits my wife's complexion.