It would be remembered against him that the affair was of his
instigating, and from neither Gian Maria nor Guidobaldo might he look for
mercy.
And now the thought of extricating himself from his desperate peril
turned him cold by its suddenness. He stood very still a moment; then
looked about him as though he feared that some watching spy might read on
him the ugly intention that of a sudden had leapt to life in his heart.
Swiftly it spread, and took more definite shape, the reflection of it
showing now upon his smooth, handsome face, and disfiguring it beyond
belief. He drew away from the wall, and took a turn or two upon the
ramparts, one hand behind him, the other raised to support his drooping
chin. Thus he brooded for a little while. Then, with another of his
furtive glances, he turned to the north-western tower, and entered the
armoury. There he rummaged until he had found the pen, ink and paper
that he sought, and with the door wide open--the better that he might
hear the sound of approaching steps--he set himself feverishly to write.
It was soon done, and he stood up, waving the sheet to dry the ink. Then
he looked it over again, and this is what he had written:
"I have it in my power to stir the garrison to mutiny and to throw open
the gates of Roccaleone. Thus shall the castle fall immediately into
your hands, and you shall have a proof of how little I am in sympathy
with this rebellion of Monna Valentina's. What terms do you offer me if
I accomplish this? Answer me now, and by the same means as I am
employing, but dispatch not your answer if I show myself upon the
ramparts.
Pages:
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238