"
He turned from the fearless front presented by the old statesman, to face
the troubled glances of the others.
"Your silence, sirs, tells me that in this matter your judgement runs
parallel with mine. And you are wise, for in such a case there can be
but one course. My cousin has uttered words to-day which no man has ever
said to a prince and lived. Nor shall we make exception to that rule.
My Lord of Aquila's head must pay the price of his temerity."
"My son," cried Caterina, in a voice of horror. Gian Maria faced her in
a passion, his countenance grown mottled.
"I have said it," he growled. "I will not sleep until he dies."
"Yet never may you wake again," she answered. And with that preamble she
launched upon his head the bitterest criticism he had ever heard. By
stinging epithets and contemptuous words, she sought to make him see the
folly of what he meditated. Was he indeed tired of ruling Babbiano? If
that were so, she told him, he had but to wait for Caesar Borgia's
coming. He need not precipitate matters by a deed that must lead to a
revolt, a rising of the people to avenge their idol.
"You have given me but added reasons," he answered her stoutly. "There
is no room in my Duchy for a man whose death, if it pleased me to
encompass it, would be avenged upon me by my own people."
"Then send him from your dominions," she urged. "Banish him, and all may
be well. But if you slay him, I should not count your life worth a day's
purchase.
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