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Therefore he called him one day and asked him whether he would

more willingly live in the house of a gentleman, where he would

learn to ride horses and use arms, or in the house of a priest,

where he would learn nothing but masses and the services of the

Church. Messer Francesco could see that it pleased Castruccio

greatly to hear horses and arms spoken of, even though he stood

silent, blushing modestly; but being encouraged by Messer

Francesco to speak, he answered that, if his master were

agreeable, nothing would please him more than to give up his

priestly studies and take up those of a soldier. This reply

delighted Messer Francesco, and in a very short time he obtained

the consent of Messer Antonio, who was driven to yield by his

knowledge of the nature of the lad, and the fear that he would

not be able to hold him much longer.