“Tell me,” I began again; “this Cavalcanti has a daughter. She was with him upon that day when he came here. What is her name?” Galeotto looked at me out of narrowing eyes. “Why, what has that to do with anything?” quoth Gervasio. “More than you think. Answer me, then. What is her name?” “Her name is Bianca,” said Caleotto. Something within me seemed to give way, so that I fell to laughing foolishly as women laugh who are on the verge of tears. By an effort I regained my self-control. “It is very well,” I said. “I will ride with you to Pagliano.” Both stared at me in utter amazement at the suddenness of my consent following upon information that, in their minds, could have no possible bearing upon the matter at issue. “Is he quite sane, do you think?” cried Galeotto gruffly. “I think he has just become so,” said Fra Gervasio after a pause. “God give me patience, then,” grumbled the soldier, and left me puzzled by the words. BOOK IV. THE WORLD CHAPTER I. PAGLIANO The lilac was in bloom when we came to the grey walls of Pagliano in that May of '45, and its scent, arousing the memory of my return to the world, has ever since been to me symbolical of the world itself. Mine was no half-hearted, backward-glancing return. Having determined upon the step, I took it resolutely and completely at a single stride. Since Galeotto placed his resources at my disposal, to be repaid him later when I should have entered upon the enjoyment of my heritage of Mondolfo, I did not scruple to draw upon them for my needs. I accepted the fine linen and noble raiment that he offered, and I took pleasure in the brave appearance that I made in them, my face shorn now of its beard and my hair trimmed to a proper length. Similarly I accepted weapons, money, and a horse; and thus equipped, looking for the first time in my life like a patrician of my own lofty station, I rode forth from Monte Orsaro with Galeotto and Gervasio, attended by the former's troop of twenty lances. And from the moment of our setting out there came upon me a curious peace, a happiness and a great sense of expectancy. No longer was I oppressed by the fear of proving unworthy of the life which I had chosen--as had been the case when that life had been monastic. Galeotto was in high spirits to see me so blithe, and he surveyed with pride the figure that I made, vowing that I should prove a worthy son of my father ere all was done. The first act of my new life was performed as we were passing through the village of Pojetta. I called a halt before the doors of that mean hostelry, over which hung what no doubt would still be the same withered bunch of rosemary that had been there in autumn when last I went that way.