CHAPTER VII
GONZAGA THE INSIDIOUS
Well indeed had it been for Ser Peppe had he restrained his malicious
mood and curbed the mocking speech that had been as vinegar to Gian
Maria's wounds. For when Gian Maria was sore he was wont to be
vindictive, and on the present occasion he was something even more.
There abode with him the memory of the fool's words, and the suggestion
that in the heart of Valentina was framed the image of some other man.
Now, loving her, in his own coarse way, and as he understood love, the
rejected Duke waxed furiously jealous of this other at whose existence
Peppe had hinted. This unknown stood in his path to Valentina, and to
clear that path it suggested itself to Gian Maria that the simplest
method was to remove the obstacle. But first he must discover it, and to
this he thought, with a grim smile, the fool might--willy-nilly--help
him.
He returned to his own apartments, and whilst the preparations for his
departure were toward, he bade Alvaro summon Martin Armstadt--the captain
of his guard. To the latter his orders were short and secret.
"Take four men," he bade him, "and remain in Urbino after I am gone.
Discover the haunts of Peppe the fool. Seize him, and bring him after
me. See that you do it diligently, and let no suspicion of your task
arise."
The bravo--he was little better, for all that he commanded the guards of
the Duke of Babbiano--bowed, and answered in his foreign, guttural voice
that his Highness should be obeyed.
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