At the entrance of his guests, Giovanni did not bother so much, dismissed the servant and, without even getting up from his chair, invited Andrea and Franz to sit in the two seats arranged for this purpose in front of his desk.
«Sit down, there is no need for many introductions», he addressed the newcomers without many preambles. «Each of us already knows the identity of the others. With you, Marquis Franciolini, I already had the honour to meet in person in the Upper Montefeltro. As for you, Mr. Vollenweider, I see you for the first time, but the fame of your imminent investiture as Archduke has preceded you, even in these remote places in the mountains. And so let’s come to the reason for your visit. Duke Alfonso d’Este sends you to report important communications. Well?»
Andrea and Fr
