Love-at-Arms

Sforza rode into his capital at Babbiano, he found the city in violent turmoil, o

d very white was the Duke's face as he darted scowls of impotent anger this way and that. But there was worse to come. As they rode up the Borgo dell' Annunziata the crowd thickened, and the silence was now replaced by a storm of hooting and angry cries. The people became menacing,

against the Borgia. Some demanded to know whither the last outrageous levy of taxes was gone, and where was the army it shou

lse follow them in death. Lastly the name of the Count of Aquila rang wildly in his ears, provoking a storm of "Evviva! Live Francesco del Falco!" and one persistent voice, sounding loudly above the others, styled him

to his captain. "Couch lances an

ked at each other in alarm, and the intrepid old statesman, in whose heart no pang of fear h

ored the Duke, "You

m Santi to the hesitating captain. "Fool!" he blazed at the la

below the horizontal. The mob, too, had heard that fierce command, and awakening to their peril, those nearest the cavalcade would have fall

of the borgo went after that cavalcade, and fell in a persistent shower upon them, rattling like giant hail upon their armour, dinting many a steel-cap to its wearer's sor

, the Palazzo Ducale, leaving a trail of dead an

orth again until, some two hours later, the presence was announced him of t

presence of mind from a keener brain than his-received the envoy, a gloomy, priestly-faced Spaniard, in the throne-room of the Palace. The Duke was attended

iano on his master's behalf, to the end that the Borgia might be afforded a sound pretext for invading the Duchy. He demanded, at first politely and calmly, and later-when denied-with arrogant insistance, that Gian Ma

bino should be complete and their position strengthened sufficiently to permit them to brave the anger of Caesar Borgia. But neither this nor the wrathful, meaning glances w

with them I may defend my own frontiers against his briganding advances. Messer da Lodi," he added, turning to Fabrizio and without so much as waiting to see if

under Lodi's escort, Monna Caterina rose, the very incarnation of outr

he laughed in bitterness. "After all, in casting it from you, perhaps you have chosen the wi

e wretched heap in which his wits now seemed to lie, "you will be well advised

nd you perform it like a petu

ered sullenly. "I do not fear any Pope's son that ever stepped. The alliance with Urbino is all

ome indefinite promise that would have afforded you respite enough in which to seal matters with the house of Montefeltro. As it is, your days are numbered. Upon that message you have sent him Caesar will

n he looked, as if for help, to Alvari, to Santi, and lastly to Lodi, who had returned w

e seemed it sometimes. I am aroused at length, sirs. I heard a voice in the streets of Babbiano to-day, and I saw a sight that has put a fire into my

rsome wonder and inquiry. Was his mind giving way under the prodigious strain that h

ugia and Camerino. But more than that. There is a princely dowry comes to us with the Lady Valentina. How think you will I spend it? To the last florin it shall go to the arming of men. I will hire me every free condotta in Italy. I will raise me such an army as has never before been seen at any one time, and with this I shall seek out the Duca Valentino. I'll not sit here at home awaiting the

ano. The voice was the voice that had acclaimed his cousin Francesco Duke. That it was through that a fierce jealousy had fired him. This man had robbed him at once of the love of his people and of Valentina, and thereby had set in his heart the burning desire to outdo him and to prove wrong in their preference both his people and Valentina. He was like a gamer who risks all on a single throw, and his stake was to be the dowry o

ould adventure on naught so vast and appalling to her woman's mind, without due thoug

urse. If you will but delay a moment and resume your seat, you shall witness the first scene of this

turned, Highness, and ha

nded briefly. "To your places, sirs, and you

nd sat himself upon the ducal chair. Servants entered, bearing great candelabra of beaten gold which they set on table and overmantel.

s on either side of him, marking him a prisoner. With a swift, comprehensive glance that took in the entire group about the

f his face and carriage. He was without arms, and bareheaded save for the gold coif he always wore, which seemed to accentuate the lu

is cousin regarded him with an eye that glittered oddly. At las

your head should not be flaunted on a spear

s shot up in justif

a smile, an answer which by its si

of them," he cha

dealt with. When a man is rudely taken, as I have been, it is a custom, which

cousin's dignity. "You choicely-spoken villain! You would learn why you have been taken?

clenching of his hands alone did he betray how that thrust had smitten him, and his han

re of much account," he answered. "I bre

else?" sneere

But,"-he shifted abruptly, his tone growing haughty-"whatever I did, I did as best seemed to me, and I have yet to learn that the Count of Aqui

k between your offence and your pre

with this indignity to set me riddles for your amusement

dy mother, upon what grounds I have had this traitor seized. You shall learn. On the night of the Tuesday before Easter seven traitors met at Sant' Angelo to plot my overthrow. Of those,

at it must have betrayed him had the Duke but chanced to look his way. A pause ensued which none present dared to break. Gian Maria seemed to await an a

d the Duke. "Hav

of one demented, a charge of which no proofs can be forthcoming, else I take it you had not withheld them. I ask you, sirs, and yo

part of Francesco-a calm that to Gian Maria's perceptions seemed hardly the garb of guilt, but belonged rather to one who is assured that no peril threatens him. "Is i

on Francesco's fa

" he protested wearily. "What shall

e had perhaps gone too fast and too far upon the road of his suspicions. "It proves to

ighed and smiled at once. Then

guards. "Then hear me scatter your foul suspicion

rast with his own coarse hectoring, were gradually undermining more and more his confidence. With a wave of his hand he motioned

ssions you have used I gather it to be this: A conspiracy was laid a little time ago at Sant' Angelo which had for object to supplant you on the

aria n

f you can make out your innocence as clearly,

since dead, had told your Highness that such a plot was being hatched. Hardly, perhaps, in itself, evidence enough to warrant setting

said on the occasion of their last talk upon this very subject; h

the matter leaves no doubt. We will accept, then, that such a plot was laid, but that I had a par

y God! you need, if yo

ds clasped behind his back, and smiled up a

ests your methods! You have me dragged here by force, and sitting there, you say to me: 'Prove that you have not cons

is chair a blow for which he was to

ike a child in a pet. "Pro

h the Count, in a voice of such mild wonder and

de a hasty gestu

ice of concentrated rage, "I thin

here was a look of lofty and contemptuous wrath. "I will repeat my words. You have dragged me here before you by force, and, sitting there on the throne of Babbian

?" sneered the unc

nd his eyes flashed scornfully upon the Duke. "If more plainly still you need it, Gian Maria, I tell you that had I plotted to occupy your tottering throne, I should be on it now, not standing here defending myself against a foolish charge. But can you doubt it? Did you learn no lesson as you rode into Babbiano to-day? Did you not hear them acclaim me and gro

, in silence, trembling for the young man who, here, in his grasp, had dared say such things to him. Presently he covered his face with his hands, and sat so, as one deeply in though

hey waited thus an odd group, all very grave save one, and he the one that had most cause for gravity.

stly, and passion shaking him like an aspen. "Take

o, "may I hope that you will send a priest

rancesco lightly on the arm. A moment the Count stood, looking from the Duke to the soldiers; a second his glance rested on those assem

Caterina Colonna broke it with a laugh that

m, "to play the lion. But so far, we