I
trust his eloquence may prove more persuasive."
He saluted ceremoniously, and, wheeling his horse about, he rode away.
Valentina would have withdrawn, but Francesco urged her to remain, and
await the Duke of Babbiano's coming. And so they paced the battlements,
Valentina in earnest talk with Francesco, Gonzaga following in moody
silence with Fortemani, and devouring them with his eyes.
From their eminence they surveyed the bustling camp in the plain, where
tents, green, brown, and white, were being hastily erected by half-
stripped soldiers. The little army altogether, may have numbered a
hundred men, which, in his vainglory, Gian Maria accounted all that would
be needed to reduce Roccaleone. But the most formidable portion of his
forces rolled into the field even as they watched. It was heralded by a
hoarse groaning of the wheels of bullock-carts to the number of ten, on
each of which was borne a cannon. Other carts followed with ammunition
and victuals for the men encamped.
They looked on with interest at the busy scene that was toward, and as
they watched they saw Guidobaldo ride into the heart of the camp, and
dismount. Then from out of a tent more roomy and imposing than the rest
advanced the short, stout figure of Gian Maria, not to be recognised at
that distance save by the keen eyes of Francesco that were familiar with
his shape.
A groom held a horse for him and assisted him to mount, and then,
attended by the same trumpeter that had escorted Guidobaldo, he rode
forward towards the castle.
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