SEVEN
Galileo’s teeth chattered in his mouth. He sat up on the settee and searched about, confused and unsure of where he was, his limbs trembling from the cold. The opulent room appeared golden and nebulous, suffused in the early evening by the sun streaming in straight shafts through the western windows. In the haze, he saw his three friends sleeping on divans and cushions scattered about the room.
Remembrance dawned as he came more awake. They had come to the home of Count Camillo Trento when the heat of the day had become too potent. The Count was not in residence but the maggiordomo had shown them great hospitality, leading the group, weary from their walking tour about the countryside, to this extraordinary room. Such magnificent respite waited for them within, and each felt sure h
