"In my uncle's name, I bid you leave this gentleman
where he lies. He is a wounded knight whom I have been pleased to tend--
a matter which seems to have aroused Messer Gonzaga's anger against him."
Beltrame paused, and looked from Valentina to Gonzaga, undecided.
"Madonna," said Gonzaga, with assumed humility, "your word is law with
us. But I would have you consider that, what I bid Beltrame do is in the
interest of his Highness, whose territory is infested by these
vagabonding robbers. It is a fact that may not have reached you in your
convent retreat, no more than has sufficient knowledge reached you yet--
in your incomparable innocence--to distinguish between rogues and honest
men. Beltrame, do my bidding."
Valentina's foot tapped the ground impatiently, and into her eyes there
came a look of anger that heightened her likeness to her martial uncle.
But Peppe it was who spoke.
"For all that there seem to be fools enough, already, meddling in this
business," he said, in tones of mock lament, "permit that I join their
number, Ser Romeo, and listen to my counsel."
"Out, fool," cried Gonzaga, cutting at him with his riding-switch, "we
need not your capers."
"No, but you need my wisdom," retorted Ser Peppe, as he leapt beyond
Gonzaga's reach. "Hear me, Beltrame! For all that we do not doubt
Messer Gonzaga's keen discrimination in judging 'twixt a rogue and an
honest man, I do promise you, as surely as though I were Fate herself,
that if you obey him now and tie up that gentleman, you will yourself be
tied up for it, later on, in a yet uglier fashion.
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