"I have come with a letter for you," Buonoccorsi continued, and pulling from a breast pocket a sealed but unaddressed packet, he handed it to me. "His excellency," he said, "tells me you know what to do with this." "I do," I gave answer, and examining the seals carefully, put the letter in the pocket of a vest, which I wore under my buff-coat. "Then that is done," he replied, "and now, signore, have you anything to drink--my throat is like a limekiln?" "I am sorry I have not, but if you will accompany me to the Marzocco." "The Marzocco! Blood of St. John! No more Marzoccos for me," he burst in, as the red went out of his cheek at the very thought of last night's affair. "Man alive! if Florence only knew what happened last night, the whole place would be in an uproar. It was lucky for the Secretary that you came to his aid, as I had to protect La Sirani--ladies first, you know--and could not help his excellency in any way." "I see," I replied. "Oh!" he went on, "there were three others in the street, but _presto!_ I disarmed one, pinked another, and the third would have met a like fate, had not La Sirani hung on my arm in her fright, so he made off. I would have pursued, but, hampered with the lady, what could I do?" "And is not Florence to know what happened last night?" I asked. He winked his eye, and replied-- "Between you and me, Messer Donati, I think not. You see the Secretary has a fair wife, and they say Madonna Marietta possesses a tongue as well as beauty. Apart from this, you must be aware, as a man of the world----" "Quite so," and I rose with a smile, "but you must allow me to see that you cool that lime-kiln of yours. I am only sorry I must ask you to come a little way with me." "Oh! I would go a long way for a can, Signor Donati, and will drink one gladly to your health."