’A lord of little else possessed a jewel, Of his small state incomparably the crown. But he, going on a journey once, To his wife committed it, saying, "This trust with you I pledge till my return; See, by your love, that I redeem my trust." But she, when he was gone, thinking "he will not know," Procured its exact fellow in green glass, And sold her lord’s gem to one who bid her fair; Then, conscience-haunted, wasted all those gains Secretly, without enjoyment, lest he should hear and wonder. But he returning, she gave him the bauble, And, deceived, he commended her; and, shortly after, dying, Left her that precious jewel for all dower, Bequeathing elsewhere the residue of his estate. Now, was not this lady very well served, Inheriting the whole value, as she had appraised it, Of her lord’s dearest possession? Gentles, Dishonour is a poor estate.’ Half-chaunting, half-talking, to an accompaniment of soft-touched chords, he ended with a little shrug of abandonment, and dropped the lute from his fingers. His voice had been small and low, but pure; the sweet thrum of the strings had lifted it to rhapsody. Messer Lanti scratched his head. ’Well, if that is a parable!’ he puzzled. ’But supposing it aims at our case, why—Casa Caprona is neither poor nor dead; and as to a jewel——’ He looked at Madam Beatrice, who was frowning and biting her lip. ’Why heed the peevish stuff?’ she said. ’Will you come? I am sick to be moving.’ Carlo was suddenly illuminated. ’O, to be sure, of course!’ he ejaculated—’the jewel——’ ’Hold your tongue!’ cried the lady sharply. The honest blockhead went into a roar of laughter. ’He has touched thee, he has touched thee! And these are his means to convert the Duke! By Saint Ambrose, ’twill be a game to watch! I swear he shall go with us.’ ’Not with my consent,’ cried madam. Carlo, chuckling tormentingly, looked at her, then doffed his cap mockingly to the boy. ’Sweet Messer Bembo,’ he said, ’I take your lesson much to heart, and pray you gratefully—as we are both for Milan, I understand—to give us the honour of your company thither. I am in good standing with the Duke, I say, and you would lose nothing by having a friend at court. Those half-boots’—he glanced at the pretty pumps—’could as ill afford the penalties of the road as your innocence its dangers.’ ’I have no more fear than my divine Master,’ said the boy boldly, ’in carrying His gospel of love.’ ’Well for you,’ said Carlo, with a grin of approval for his spirit; ’but a gospel that goes in silken doublet and lovelocks is like to be struck dumb before it is uttered.’