His original intention
had been to attempt to suborn him, and render him pliable by bribery; but
now that the moment for action was arrived he dared not make the offer.
He lacked for words in which to present his proposal, and he was afraid
lest the man should resent it, and in a fit of indignation attack him
with his partisan. He little imagined that Aventano had been forewarned
by Ercole that a bribe would be offered him and that he was to accept it
promptly. Ercole had chosen this man because he was intelligent, and had
made him understand enough of what was toward, besides offering a
substantial reward if he played his part well, and Aventano waited. But
Gonzaga, knowing naught of this, abandoned at the last moment the notion
of bribing him--which Ercole had enjoined him, and which he in his turn
had promised Ercole was the course he would pursue.
"You seem cold, Excellency," said the young man deferentially, for he had
observed that Gonzaga shivered.
"A chill morning, Aventano," returned the gallant, with a grin.
"True; but the sun is breaking through yonder. It will be warmer soon."
"Why, yes," answered the other abstractedly, and still he remained by the
sentinel, his hand, under the gay mantle of blue velvet, nervously
fingering the hilt of a dagger that he dared not draw. It came to him
that moments were passing, and that the thing must be done. Yet Aventano
was a sinewy youth, and if the sudden stab he meditated failed him, he
would be at the fellow's mercy.
Pages:
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311