He did in fact return to the studio, and distributed the work among his men, bidding them obey Ascanio as if he were himself. He then said a few words in Italian in Ascanio's ear, bade them all adieu, and prepared to take his departure. A horse all saddled, and held by little Jehan, awaited him in the outer courtyard. At that moment Scozzone went up to Benvenuto and took him aside. "Do you know, master," she said with a sober face, "that your departure leaves me in a very difficult position?" "How so, my child?" "Pagolo is becoming fonder of me all the time." "Ah! is it so?" "And he is forever talking to me about his love." "What do you reply?" "Dame! as you bade me, master. I say that I will see, and that perhaps it may be arranged." "Very well." "How is it very well? You don't understand, Benvenuto, that he takes everything that I say to him most seriously, and that I may be entering into a real engagement with him. It's a fortnight since you laid down a rule of conduct for me to adopt, is it not?" "Yes, I think so; I hardly remember." "But I have a better memory than you. During the first five days I replied by reasoning gently with him: I told him he must try to conquer his passion, and love me no more. The next five days I listened in silence, and that was a very compromising kind of an answer; but you bade me do it, so I did it. Since then I have been driven to talk of my duty to you, and yesterday, master, I reached a point where I besought him to be generous, while he pressed me to confess my love for him." "If that is so, it puts a different face on the matter," said Benvenuto. "Ah, at last!" said Scozzone. "Yes, now listen, little one. During the first three days of my absence, you will let him think that you love him; during the next three, you will confess your love." "What, you bid me do that, Benvenuto!" cried Scozzone, deeply wounded at the master's too great confidence in her. "Never you fear. What have you to reproach yourself for when I authorize you to do it?" "Mon Dieu! nothing, I know," said Scozzone; "but being placed as I am between your indifference and his love, I may end by falling in love with him outright." "Nonsense! in six days? Aren't you strong enough to remain indifferent to him six days?" "Yes, indeed! I give you six days; but don't remain away seven, I beg you." "No fear, my child, I will return in time. Adieu, Scozzone." "Adieu, master," returned Scozzone, sulking, smiling, and weeping all at once. While Cellini was giving Catherine these instructions, the provost and D'Orbec returned to the studio.