Gonzaga moved to the door, and
stood listening breathlessly. At the least sign of an approach, he would
have shown himself, and thus, by the provision made in his letter have
cautioned the archer against shooting his bolt. But all was quiet, and
so Gonzaga remained where he was until something flashed like a bird
across his vision, struck sharply against the posterior wall, and fell
with a tinkle on the broad stones of the rampart. A moment later the
answer from Gian Maria was in his hands.
He swiftly unwound it from the shaft that had brought it, and dropped the
bolt into a corner. Then unfolding the letter, he read it, leaning
against one of the merlons of the wall.
"If you can devise a means to deliver Roccaleone at once into my hands
you shall earn my gratitude, full pardon for your share in Monna
Valentina's rebellion, and the sum of a thousand gold florins.
"GIAN MARIA."
As he read, a light of joy leapt to his eyes. Gian Maria's terms were
very generous. He would accept them, and Valentina should realise when
too late upon what manner of broken reed she leaned in relying upon
Messer Francesco. Would he save her now, as he so loudly boasted? Would
there indeed be no mutiny, as he so confidently prophesied? Gonzaga
chuckled evilly to himself. She should learn her lesson, and when she
was Gian Maria's wife, she might perhaps repent her of her treatment of
Romeo Gonzaga.
He laughed softly to himself.
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