Benvenuto could not remain seated, but began to stalk up and down the room.
A quarter of an hour passed.
"Are you suffering, my child?" he asked.
"No, master, indeed I'm not: you are the one who is suffering. Be patient, I beg you, for she cannot be long now."
At that moment Isabeau appeared again.
"Your mistress is very slow," said Benvenuto.
The mischievous girl went to the window, and looked at the clock in the courtyard.
"Why, you have waited only an hour and a half," she said; "why do you complain, pray?"
As Cellini frowned, she laughed in his face, and tripped away.
Benvenuto, by a violent effort, subdued his wrath once more. But in order to do it he was obliged to resume his seat, and sat with folded arms, silent and stem. He seemed calm; but his wrath was fermenting silently. Two servants stood like statues at the door, observing him with a serious expression, which seemed to him derisory.