THE FOOL'S INQUISITIVENESS
XIII. GIAN MARIA MAKES A VOW
XIV. FORTEMANI DRINKS WATER
XV. THE MERCY OF FRANCESCO
XVI. GONZAGA UNMASKS
XVII. THE ENEMY
XVIII. TREACHERY
XIX. PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT
XX. THE LOVERS
XXI. THE PENITENT
XXII. A REVELATION
XXIII. IN THE ARMOURY TOWER
XXIV. THE INTERRUPTED MASS
XXV. THE CAPITULATION OF ROCCALEONE
CHAPTER I
VOX POPULI
From the valley, borne aloft on the wings of the evening breeze, rose
faintly the tolling of an Angelus bell, and in a goat-herd's hut on the
heights above stood six men with heads uncovered and bowed, obeying its
summons to evening prayer. A brass lamp, equipped with three beaks,
swung from the grimy ceiling, and, with more smoke than flame, shed an
indifferent light, and yet a more indifferent smell, throughout the
darkening hovel. But it sufficed at least to reveal in the accoutrements
and trappings of that company a richness that was the more striking by
contrast with the surrounding squalor.
As the last stroke of the Ave Maria faded on the wind that murmured
plaintively through the larches of the hillside, they piously crossed
themselves, and leisurely resuming their head-gear, they looked at one
another with questioning glances. Yet before any could voice the inquiry
that was in the minds of all, a knock fell upon the rotten timbers of the
door.
"At last!" exclaimed old Fabrizio da Lodi, in a voice charged with
relief, whilst a younger man of good shape and gay garments strode to the
door in obedience to Fabrizio's glance, and set it wide.
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