Now indeed a dreadful scene opened before my eyes, and my heart became a prey to sorrow and vexation. My faithful squire endeavoured to comfort me, but all his reasonings and consolation could not banish from my mind the dismal thought that fear inspired me with. I went to bed without my supper, and the next morning got up, having taken no rest during the night. I was just going to send a note to my widow, to desire the favour of her to let me know when I should come and see her, when my host brought me word that two gentlemen of my acquaintance wanted to speak with me upon business of some importance. I ordered that they should be introduced. These gentlemen entered with a sedate and serious countenance, and one of them addressing me said: “We are come out of pure friendship to inform you that there runs a very odd report of you at court and in the city. It is said that far from being a man of quality, you have acted mean and different figures at Rome. In a word you have been the Ambassador’s domestic, and not his kinsman, as you pretend to be. We know not if the Grand Duke has heard of it yet: however, we would advise you as friends not to go to court, but to procure the Ambassador’s attestations in your favour as fast as you can, and prove the falsity of reports so much to your dishonour.” When this gentleman had concluded his speech, so mortifying to me, I was thunderstruck, and ready to swoon away; my speech failed me when I began to make an apology. I answered, however, that I could not have believed my enemies could have carried their slander so far; but before the end of the day, I would take post and go to Rome myself, to obtain authentic attestations more than enough to confound the malicious plan of jealous rivals. The two gentlemen approved of my resolution, and withdrew to make their report to the Grand Duke; for it was by his order that they had come to me, though they had pretended it was purely of themselves, and out of kindness to me. They were no sooner gone than my trusty friend entered the chamber, and guessing by my looks the afflicting news I had to relate, felt the greatest grief when I told him what was the matter. However, far from being cast down as I was by this misfortune, he bore up against it, and with a firmness that astonished me. “Now master,” said he, “you must shew yourself a man of courage and stedfastness. Can you be surprised after having acted so delicate a part as you have done in the eyes of all the world, that some mischance should happen that gives a sad and gloomy turn to the plot of the play? for my part I always expected it; but after all our fall is not so great but we may rise again; thanks to your lucky stars, the free country is left open before you; let us make use of our time, and immediately leave Florence and the Duke’s territories, and betake ourselves elsewhere, to comment at leisure on this change of fortune.”