That the destinies of States should be tossed to the winds of Heaven by a
slip of a girl was to him something as insufferable as it had been
unexpected.
"She must be brought back!" he had screeched, in his towering passion.
"She must be brought back at once."
"True!" answered Guidobaldo, in his serene way; "she must be brought
back. So far, I agree with you entirely. Tell me, now, how the thing is
to be accomplished." And there was sarcasm in his voice.
"What difficulties does it present?" inquired Gian Maria.
"No difficulties," was the ironical reply. "She has shut herself up in
the stoutest castle in Italy, and tells me that she will not come forth
until I promise her freedom of choice in the matter of marriage.
Clearly, there are no difficulties attached to her being brought back."
Gian Maria showed his teeth.
"Do you give me leave to go about it in my own way?" he asked.
"Not only do I give you leave, but I'll render you all the assistance in
my power, if you can devise a means for luring her from Roccaleone."
"I hesitate no longer. Your niece, Lord Duke, is a rebel, and as a rebel
is she to be treated. She has garrisoned a castle, and hurled defiance
at the ruler of the land. It is a declaration of war, Highness, and war
we shall have."
"You would resort to force?" asked Guidobaldo, disapproval lurking in his
voice.
"To the force of arms, your Highness," answered Gian Maria, with prompt
fierceness. "I will lay siege to this castle of hers, and I shall tear
it stone from stone.
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