The servant who came to open the door recognized him, made his way up the stairs and along the corridors of the palace and announced him to his mistress, who was in the library at the time. As soon as the servant came out of the door again and signalled to him that he could enter, Bernardino showed himself in the presence of Countess Lucia.
«It was enough for you to send for me», the latter said, sticking her hazel eyes into his. «It wasn’t necessary for you to come. Your condition requires you not to make any effort, so as not to expose yourself to unnecessary risks!»
«I know that», Bernardino replied, «I know that», he said. «But I was so happy to have completed the work in such a short time, that I wanted to make sure to deliver it to you as soon as possible. So I have anticipated the
