But it is probable that the existence of it was unknown to the great
majority of the company. At all events, so it happened, that when
Ludovico and Bianca reached it, it was wholly untenanted, save by
Dante, in his long red gown, solitarily occupied in cramming himself
with pastry.
"What, Dante in exile!" cried Ludovico. "Pray, Sir Poet, which
bolgia was set apart for those who are lost by the `peccato della
gola?' or is a bilious fit in the more immediate future bolgia
fearful enough?"
"It is not so bad a bolgia as that appointed some other sins," said
the Conte Leandro, with mouth stuffed with cake, as he moved out of
room.
"What an animal it is!" said Ludovico, laughing, as he gave Bianca a
glass of champagne, and filled another for himself.
"Take some of this woodcock pie, Signora Bianca? You must be starved
by this time; and I can recommend it."
"How so? You have not tasted it yourself yet."
"No; but I am going to do so. And my recommendation is based on my
knowledge of the qualities of our woodcocks. They are the finest in
the world. The marshes in the neighbourhood of the Pineta breed them
in immense quantities."
"Oh, I have heard so much of the Pineta. They say it is so lovely."
"The most beautiful forest in the world. And this is just the time
when it is in its greatest beauty,--the early spring, when the wild
flowers are all beginning to blossom, and the birds are all singing.
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