And so, his face drawn and his body quivering with the excitement of what
he was about to do, Gonzaga had repaired to the ramparts so soon as he
had seen them all safely into chapel. The sentinel was that same clerkly
youth Aventano, who had read to the soldiers that letter Gian Maria had
sent Gonzaga. This the courtier accepted as a good omen. If a man there
was among the soldiery at Roccaleone with whom he deemed that he had an
account to settle, that man was Aventano.
The mist was rapidly lightening, and the country grew visible for miles
around. In the camp of Gian Maria he observed a coming and going of men
that argued an inordinate bustle for so early an hour. They awaited his
signal.
He approached the young sentinel, growing more and more nervous as the
time for action advanced. He cursed Fortemani, who had selfishly refused
to take an active part in the admission of Gian Maria. Here was a task
that Fortemani could perform more satisfactorily than he. He had urged
this fact on Ercole's attention, but the swashbuckler had grinned and
shook his head. To Gonzaga fell the greater reward, and so Gonzaga must
do the greater work. It was only fair, the knave had urged; and while
Gonzaga was about it, he would watch the chapel door against
interruption. And so Gonzaga had been forced to come alone to try
conclusions with the sentry.
He gave the young man a nervous but pleasant "Good-morrow," and observed
with satisfaction that he wore no body armour.
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