She will offer to do so
on condition that he pass her his princely word not to further molest her
with the matter of this marriage. And then?"
"Well?" growled the fool, "And then? Who shall say what may befall then?
Let us say that his Highness reduces her by force."
"A siege?" laughed the Count. "Pooh! Where is your wisdom, fool! Do
you think the splendid Guidobaldo is eager to become the sport of Italy,
and go down to posterity as the duke who besieged his niece because she
resisted his ordainings touching the matter of her wedding?"
"Guidobaldo da Montefeltro can be a violent man upon occasion," the fool
was answering, when the officer who had left them reappeared with the
announcement that his Highness awaited them.
They found the Prince in a very gloomy mood, and after greeting Francesco
with cool ceremony, he questioned him on the matter of the company they
had met yesternight. These inquiries he conducted with characteristic
dignity, and no more show of concern than if it had been an affair of a
strayed falcon. He thanked Francesco for his information, and gave
orders that the seneschal should place apartments at his and Fanfulla's
disposal for as long as it should please them to grace his court. With
that he dismissed them, bidding the officer remain to receive his orders.
"And that," said Francesco to Peppe, as they crossed the ante-chamber in
the wake of a servant, "is the man who would lay siege to his niece's
castle? For once, sir fool, your wisdom is at fault.
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