I put my hand to my sword, but Checco caught hold of my arm. I recovered myself at once.
'I beg your pardon, Messer Checco,' I said; then, turning to the man, 'You are safe in insulting me here. You show your breeding! Really, Matteo, you did not tell me that you had such a charming fellow-countryman.'
'You are too hard on us, Filippo,' answered my friend, 'for such a monstrosity as that Forli is not responsible.'
'I am no Forlivese, thank God! Neither the Count nor I.' He looked round scornfully. 'We offer up thanks to the Almighty every time the fact occurs to us. I am a citizen of Castello.'
Matteo was going to burst out, but I anticipated him. 'I, too, am a citizen of Castello; and allow me to inform you that I consider you a very insolent fellow, and I apologise to these gentlemen that a countryman of mine should forget the courtesy due to the city which is sheltering him.'
'You a Castelese! And, pray, who are you?'
'I know your house. Mine is Ercole Piacentini.'
'I cannot return the compliment; I have never heard of yours.'
'My family is as good as yours, sir,' he said.
'Really, I have no acquaintance with the middle-classes of Castello; but I have no doubt it is respectable.'
I noticed that the listeners seemed very contented, and I judged that Messer Ercole Piacentini was not greatly loved in Forli; but Checco was looking on anxiously.
'You insolent young boy!' said the man, furiously. 'How dare you talk to me like that. I will kick you!'
I put my hand to my sword to draw it, for I was furious too; I pulled at the hilt, but I felt a hand catch hold of mine and prevent me. I struggled; then I heard Checco in my ear.
'Don't be a fool! You'll ruin us.' He held my sword, so that I could not draw it.
Ercole saw what was going on; his lips broke into a sarcastic smile.
'You are being taught the useful lesson of discretion, young man. You are not the only one who has learnt it.' He looked round at the bystanders....
At that moment a servant came to Checco and announced,--
The group broke up, and Checco advanced to the further end of the hall, with Ercole Piacentini and several other gentlemen. Matteo and I lingered where we were. There was a rustle, and the Count and Countess appeared attended by their suite.