Today | News | Books | Recipes Adventure | Science Fiction | Ghost stories | Poetry | Children | History BookDomenico in that galley, it is more than I can hazard a guess on. He is not the only one known to me," Peppino added, "There was Ercole Fortemani, a great, dirty, blustering ruffian whom I never saw in aught but rags, riding at their heads in garments of most unwonted wholeness; and there was Romeo Gonzaga, whom I never knew to stir by night save to an assignation. Strange things must be happening in Urbino." "And the litters?" inquired Francesco, "Can you hazard no guess as to their meaning?" "None," said he, "saving that they may account for the presence of Messer Gonzaga. For litters argue women." "It seems, fool, that not even your wisdom shall avail us. But you heard the friar say they were bound for Roccaleone?" "Yes, I heard that. And by means of it we shall probably learn the rest at the end of our journey." And being a man of extremely inquisitive mind, the fool set his inquiries on foot the moment they entered the gates of Urbino in the morning--for they had reached the city over-late to gain admittance that same night, and were forced to seek shelter in one of the houses by the river. It was of the Captain of the Gate that he sought information. "Can you tell me, Ser Capitan," he inquired, "what company was that that travelled yesternight to Roccaleone?" The captain looked at him a moment. "There was none that I know of," said he, "Certainly none from Urbino." "You keep a marvellous watch," said the fool drily. "I tell you that a company of men-at-arms some twenty strong went last night from Urbino to Roccaleone." "To Roccaleone?" echoed the captain, with a musing air, more attentively than before, as if the repetition of that name had suggested something to his mind. "Why, it is the castle of Monna Valentina." "True, sapient sir. But what of the company, and why was it travelling so, by night?" "How know you it proceeded from Urbino?" quoth the captain earnestly. "Because at its head I recognised the roaring warrior Ercole Fortemani, in the middle rode Romeo Gonzaga, in the rear came Fra Domenico, Madonna's confessor--men of Urbino all." The officer's face grew purple at the news. "Were there any women in the party?" he cried. "I saw none," replied the fool, in whom this sudden eagerness of the captain's awakened caution and reflection. "But there were four litters," put in Francesco, whose nature was less suspicious and alert than the wise fool's. Too late Peppe scowled caution at him. The captain swore a great oath. "It is she," he cried, with assurance. "And this company was travelling to Roccaleone, you say. How know you that?" "We heard it from the friar," answered Francesco readily. "Then, by the Virgin! we have them. Olá!" He turned from them, and ran shouting into the gatehouse, to re-emerge a moment later with half-dozen soldiers at his heels. "To the Palace," he commanded, and as his men surrounded Francesco's party, "Come, sir," he said to the Count. "You must go with us, and tell your story to the Duke." "There is no need for all this force," answered Francesco coldly. "In any case, I could not pass through Urbino without seeing Duke Guidobaldo. I am the Count of Aquila." At once the captain's bearing grew respectful. He made his apologies for the violent measures of his zeal, and bade his men fall behind. Ordering them to follow him, he mounted a horse that was brought him, and rode briskly through the borgo at the Count's side. And as he rode he told them what the jester's quick intuition had already whispered to him. The lady Valentina was fled from Urbino in the night, and in her company were gone three of her ladies, and--it was also supposed, since they had disappeared--Fra Domenico and Romeo Gonzaga. Aghast at what he heard, Francesco pressed his informer for more news; but there was little more that the captain could tell him, beyond the fact that it was believed she had been driven to it to escape her impending marriage with the Duke of Babbiano. Guidobaldo was distraught at what had happened, and anxious to bring the lady back before news of her behaviour should reach the ears of Gian Maria. It was, therefore, a matter of no little satisfaction to the captain that the task should be his to bear Guidobaldo this news of her whereabouts which from Francesco and the jester he had derived. Peppe looked glum and sullen. Had he but bridled his cursed curiosity, and had the Count but taken the alarm in time and held his peace, all might have been well with his beloved patrona. As it was, he--the one man ready to die that he might serve her--had been the very one to betray her refuge. He heard the Count's laugh, and the sound of it was fuel to his anger. But Francesco only thought of the splendid daring of the lady's action. "But these men-at-arms that she had with her?" he cried. "For what purpose so numerous a bodyguard?" The captain looked at him a moment. "Can you not guess?" he inquired. "Perhaps you do not know the Castle of Roccaleone." "It were odd if I did not know the most impregnable fortress in Italy." "Why, then, does it not become clear? She has taken this company for a garrison, and in Roccaleone she clearly intends to resist in rebel fashion the wishes of his Highness." At that the Count threw back his head, and scared the passers-by with as hearty a peal of laughter as ever crossed his lips. "By the Host!" he gasped, laughter still choking his utterance. "There is a maid for you! Do you hear what the captain says, Fanfulla? She means to resist this wedding by armed force if needs be. Now, on my soul, if Guidobaldo insists upon the union after this, why, then, he has no heart, no feeling. As I live, she is a kinswoman that such a warlike prince might well be proud of. Small wonder that they do not fear the Borgia in Urbino." And he laughed again. But the captain scowled at him, and Peppe frowned. "She is a rebellious jade," quoth the captain sourly. "Nay, softly," returned Francesco; for all that he still laughed. "If you were of knightly rank I'd break a lance with you on that score. As it is----" he paused, his laughter ceased, and his dark eyes took the captain's measure in a curious way. "Best leave her uncensured, Ser Capitano. She is of the house of Rovere, and closely allied to that of Montefeltro." The officer felt the rebuke, and silence reigned between them after that. It was whilst Francesco, Fanfulla and Peppe waited in the ante-chamber for admittance to the Duke that the jester vented some of the bitterness he felt at their babbling. The splendid room was thronged with a courtly crowd. There were magnificent nobles and envoys, dark ecclesiastics and purple prelates, captains in steel and court officers in silk and velvet. Yet, heedless of who might hear him, Peppe voiced his rebuke, and the terms he employed were neither as measured nor as respectful as the Count's rank dictated. Yet with that fairness of mind that made him so universally beloved, Francesco offered no resentmen |