"His name is Pagolo, if you must know." "Aha! so it's Monsieur Pagolo!" muttered Cellini. "Yes, it's Monsieur Pagolo," rejoined Scozzone, wounded by the contemptuous tone in which Cellini uttered his rival's name,--"a boy of good family, sedate, quiet, devout, and who would make a most excellent husband." "Is that your opinion, Scozzone?" "Yes, it is my opinion." "And yet you have never given him any hope?" "I have never listened to him. Oh! I was a great fool! But after this--" "You are right, Scozzone; you should listen to him, and reply to him." "How so? What's that you say?" "I bid you listen when he speaks to you of love, and not turn him away. I will attend to the rest." "But--" "But, never fear, I have my plan." "_À la bonne heure._ But I hope you don't propose to punish him very severely, poor devil; he acts as if he were confessing his sins when he says, 'I love you.' Play him a trick, if you choose, but not with your sword. I ask mercy for him." "You will be content with my vengeance, Scozzone, for it will turn to your advantage." "In what way?" "It will help to gratify one of your fondest desires." "What do you mean, Benvenuto?" "That is my secret." "Oh, if you knew what an absurd figure he cuts when he tries to be tender!" said the volatile creature, incapable of remaining sad five minutes in succession. "And so, naughty man, you are still interested to know whether any one is paying court to your giddy girl? You do still love poor Scozzone a little?" "Yes. But do not fail to follow the instructions I give you in regard to Pagolo to the letter." "Oh, don't be afraid! I can play a part as well as another. It won't be long before he will say to me, 'Catherine, are you still cruel?' and I will reply, 'What! again, Monsieur Pagolo?' But in a not very indignant tone, you understand,--encouraging rather. When he sees that I am no longer harsh, he will think he's conquered the world. But what shall you do to him, Benvenuto? When shall you begin to take your revenge upon him? Will it be long drawn out, and very amusing? Shall we laugh?" "Yes, we shall laugh," Benvenuto replied. "And you will always love me?" Benvenuto imprinted an assenting kiss upon her forehead,--the best of all answers, since it answers for everything without answering for anything. Poor Scozzone did not suspect that Cellini's kiss was the beginning of his vengeance. The Vicomte de Marmagne's wish that he might find Benvenuto alone was also gratified. This is how it came about.