'What other result could have been, when I spent my time thinking of the lovely Giulia.'
'I am afraid you had other thoughts in Naples: they say that there the women are all beautiful.'
'Naples! My dear lady, I swear that during all the time I have been away I have never seen a face to compare with yours.'
Her eyes quite shone with pleasure. I turned away, finding the conversation silly. I thought I would do without the pleasant looks of Madonna Giulia, and I decided not to come to her again. Meanwhile, I began talking to one of the other ladies in the room and passed the time agreeably enough.... In a little while Giulia passed me, leaning on the arm of one of her admirers. I saw her glance at me, but I took no notice. Immediately afterwards she came again, hesitating a moment, as if she wished to say something, but passed on without speaking. I thought she was piqued at my inattention to her, and, with a smile, redoubled my attentions to the lady with whom I was talking.
'Messer Filippo!' Donna Giulia called me, 'if you are not too engaged, will you speak to me for one moment?'
'I am anxious to hear of your quarrel with Ercole Piacentini. I have heard quite ten different stories.'
'I am surprised that the insolence of an ill-bred fellow should rouse such interest.'
'We must talk of something in Forli. The only thing I hear for certain is that he insulted you, and you were prevented from getting satisfaction.'
'But my brother tells me that Checco d'Orsi has made you promise to do nothing.'
'I shall get my revenge--having to wait for it will only make it sweeter.'
Then, supposing she had nothing further to say to me, I stood still, as if expecting her to leave me. She looked up suddenly.
'How can such an idea have entered your head? Do you not see that all men lie humble at your feet, attentive to every word and gesture?'
'Oh,' she said, 'I saw very well that you avoided me. When you came in here--you hardly came near me.'
'I did not think you would notice my inattention.'
'Certainly I noticed it; I was afraid I had offended you. I could not think how.'
'My dear lady, you have certainly done nothing to offend me.'
'Then, why do you avoid me?' she asked petulantly.
'Really,' I said, 'I don't. Perhaps in my modesty I thought it would be a matter of indifference to you whether I was at your side or not. I am sorry I have annoyed you.'