Romance of Roman Villas (The Renaissance)

worst moods as he strode the deck of his flag-shi

ng by a brilliant assault taken the city for England, while a letter whose sea

e now explained to his friend, whi

contain negotiations of such delicacy that Henry of Navarre dared not send them overland through France, and my word i

d Cadiz, I open the Queen's letter (which was not to be read until the accomplishment of that task), and find that, instead of being permitted to proceed, I must first sail at once for England; and all forsooth

redly I will not fail you. But why may I not do th

rance. The deputy of a deputy would have no prestige with him, and would not even be admi

efuse all other suitors. In short you must woo and win her for the King of France. For such a task you have every qualification. You possess a knowledge of the Italian language and the understanding of its temperament and character which comes from sympathy. The Italians will n

said, "that my heart is in England and though my love should

d cheerily, "so here are all objections overcome, and may you have

meward course another in a swift sailing pinnace flew eastward bound upon a

ey had served in ancient days, holding the villa safe in their protecting embrace from any uprising of the populace of Rome, while on the side toward the Campagna they had withstood more than one siege of the Goths. But high aloft, near

and had watched his approach until he halted with upturned face beneath her window. At that instant a little fan opening as it fell, dr

n of water, assisted him in his search, but having found the fan she was so curious in regard to its donor that Brandilancia endeavoured to divert her attention by plying her with questi

t bolted on the inside one might enter the tunnel which brings the water through the hill from its source miles away. There is a legend, too,

ering. Climbing back to the roadway he waved the fan above his head and was greeted by a light clapping of hands from the lofty window. Who could the lady be? He

ed in dazzling sunshine which the scintillating jets of the fountains reflected and intensified. The statues seemed to shrink f

and elegant proportions the building suggested a carved ivory cabinet, but one rifled of its jewels, for except for the keeper of the gate-lodge, to whom he had tossed h

ed himself. "If so some imp or sprite should

that of a parrot, and half hidden behind one of the great marble lions in the shade of the loggia he discerned a gro

oman, probably a dependent, was dressed like a princess. Her dress though soiled was of stiff brocade embroidered with gold thr

in Florence, he could not receive you, but awaiting his return the villa is at your service

ur of the siesta. Shall I show your worship to your own room, or will you await the ladies in the library?" His hand was on the little fan, and he was striving to frame s

determining factor in his acceptance of this mission, was now about to be realised. The immense room from floor to cornice was walled with books: the writings of the fathers of the church-huge folios hasped in brass and ornamented with priceless illuminations-side by side with pagan literature, Greek manuscripts, and volumes of the Roman classics, while all the new harvest of the

ndilancia was a playwright gifted with a most exceptional genius for adaptation. He had read a few of these tales and had realised that they contained admirable material for dramatisation, but now by a turn of th

k into the nearest chair and read like one

shuffled about noisily, coughed, and even addressed

behind him, read the title over his shoulder, and laughed aloud. Brandilanci

I could not refrain, your absorption pays me a gr

aimed the half i

cy, the Grand Duke, a man of letters who has t

any of the Calza of Venice is one of the merriest I have ever read, and makes

by the stranger's praise, "but since you care for my poor efforts I can lay

appreciative Brandilancia, who forgot all else until a servant announced that his h

ation that the luggage of the Signor was in his room reminded him that dinner in such a house wa

him to make quick changes not only of costume, but of mental points of view and characteristics, and Essex's war

or as his eyes met those of Marie de' Medici he knew that here, either for go

autiful. Her eyes were overbold and searching but cold; but her bearing arrogant at first, softened as the da

though they were far from appreciating his genius and his aims. But every serious conversation held with his young hostess confirmed him in his delusion that he had found a friend capable of understanding him. That she did not

ing when, piqued that he should spend so much time i

tory that occurred at Verona in the time of Bartolommeo Scala," and she watched hi

I shed for these poor lovers but chiefly because I knew no Romeo so brave and noble and handsome to tempt me to die for him, or so devoted as to

e replied, "and unkind to the novelis

ook-cover is for me a magic door by whose opening I escape out of the unendurable present. Even more than the novels do I love the plays, a

he most fascinating of all, and that is the writing of a drama, for in so doing we create a lit

. "But I care only to be t

d, "would you choos

Beloved, mark you, not bargained for, but sought out personally by the King wh

al reasons the King could not come in his proper person, but having learned to love you from report, were to seek you out in

I had learned to love, thoug

lover, not knowing that he was a King? Let me put it still more strongly. Would

r I am certain that my intuitions are so true that I co

a drama and show the world how true love pierces all

impossible for one so absorbed in self as this egoistic young creature. If Henry of Navarre were but like his Ambassador how easy it would be to love him! and suddenly it

le to her, and it appealed to her romantic imagination that the King of France should come like t

tion to her stunted body, she might easily have been disabused of her error; but with an overweening confidence in the accuracy of her own judgme

le fan had fallen from the hand of Marie de' Medici by accident, naively offered to r

then keep it?" h

you wear," she replied,

ice engraved upon the seal, a gaunt

s own words. "I value it, not because I have a right to the arms it bears, but because

n you are not Essex

at the siege of Rouen. We were much in each other's company, not only in the main business of fighting, but in hawking and hunting in the neighbourhood.

re friends and comrades in many a wild adventure. Tell me mo

ur

ng the portrait o

. Ru

ngs ordered by her for th

lady, that h

e since he has

im by your uncle is engraved upon his heart. Love gives a mysterious power of second sight, and I doubt not that the King of Fran

n a low voice, "and Henry of Navarre is a forb

Ferdinando's collection of masterpieces was all about t

honour of being the embodiment of the Ear

itatingly, with a wave of the hand which took in

t not deceived, and she remained at her niece'

f the sculpture Brandilancia's thoughts wandered to his host. "What manner of man w

another side to his character. "See, your grace," she had said to Brandilancia, "here is a favourite play of mine, Il Moro di Venezia, a sad tragedy but it stirs one's blood to read it. Perhaps it stirs mine because it is

ould not expel it from his mind, and when next alone wit

ot ask you to divulge private matters, but only such as are public property

ath of his two sisters-in-law, and was responsible for the murder of his own sister, goading her husband the Duke of Bracciano to the act. It is commonly reported also that the Signo

rified Brandilancia, "was

d in his candidacy for the pontificate (outwitted by that fox Montalto). I

is the Signorina

is. It is because I am strangely drawn to you. From the moment I saw that you appreciated what I had written, that we spoke the same language, strove after the same ideals, I was yours heart and soul. They talk of love at first sight, a foolish matter between man and woman, but when two men recognise that they are congenial spirits it is t

trigue, passion, and murder which he read to drive it from his mind, those fascinating novelli with their recor

often in such close company that the sweet woman's mouth which lets l

f alone it added a spice of excitement to the adventure; now, however, that he realised what grave consequences th

ough half unconsciously, his thoughts were with his fair hostess, and always at the hour of the siesta of the Grand Duchess Marie de' Medici was with him in person. It was on the second morning of his

girlish innocence, and was more than ever determined to protect her from himself. Leonora was always on guard in the ante-room, and joined them whenever she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. It surprised this world-wise little sentinel that on none of these occasions had the young man appeare

ex so blind," she said to him one

n the dark like yours, Owlet," he r

all to me is that whoever you may

ghed maliciously, and her face, always sly and old beyond her years, was a

d the character of the Earl of Essex from love of her she will readily forgive you that deceit. Together we can accomplish anything and everything, for you have a winning way with women, and I have brains-yes, more than you give me credit for-and this doll-faced girl shall make our fortunes. When we have sucked the coffers of the Medici dry, t

he table, where, perched at his elbow, she had poured her confidences into his ear; but as she drew his face to hers with her s

ul matches your body. You are

ve to learn that the good-will of a devil is better than her ill

mation was soon effaced by the dwarf's apparent forgiveness. "We were both i

d the young man had lost his opp

not the Earl of Essex," she asserted. "He is some base impostor,

would betray him to no one nor even allow him to suspect that she had penetrated his disguise, but would flatter the

forward the mission upon which he had been sent, told of Henry's unhappy wedded life, expressing with great frankness h

Medici had replied, "tha

ed man and, knowing you as I do, I can not blame the King of France that he is seeking, through divorce, freedom from a

o have recognised her admiration, but he believed it merely appreciation of his genius, whereas her mind was too limited to comprehend it. She was in love with the possibility of being a queen upon such easy

l maturity of his mental powers. His genius had created many charming women, but the ideal for which his lonely heart yearne

on, with which he replaced the siren of Belmont, was not, as he supposed, a portrait from life of Marie de' Medici. The character sprang directly from his own intense long

fair skin like flame in an alabaster lamp. Superbly modelled, but lithe and tall, she carried regally the sumptuous opulence with which nature had endowed her, and the soft curve of her shoulders, throat, and bosom had not as yet blossomed into the plethora which Rubens depicted with so gloating a brush. Nor was she precisely the same as when Brandilancia had looked upon these charms unmoved. All arrogance and self-confidence were gone or lay buried under the mo

ong-stifled hunger in his heart. He was not in love with his hostess, but he was starving for love, and each book that he read, every object of art that he looked upon, and nature itself was steeped with the charm and passion of Italy. If he tos

f upon him everywhe

ha

ry of silk

st

ra when she m

will something of the fascination of the "Serpent of Old Nile" invested his comrade, and the name of Antony e

manated from the purely literary reconstruction of such a character, he laid it aside for

ay. During the day the white glare drove the guests of the garden festivals into the shadiest recesses of the cypress labyrinths. The flowers themselves seemed to have va

st reveller, stepped upon the terrace to cool his brain heated by inspiration. A kindred restlessness brought Marie

is your favourite story, which I have

urning words of the poet artistic expression worthy of the most finished theatrical production, and as such they lacked not their due appreciation and applause though from a most undesired audience. A low chuckling and a clapping of

e in the Farnese theatre at Parma. But you have taken liberties with the lines and, per Bacco

the appearance of the intruder. "It is odd that you should have chanced so opportunely upon us as we were rehearsing our little comedy. My lord of Essex, permit me to present Captain Tu

t is rare indeed to find one of Fortune's favourites so variously talented. His Excellency the Grand Duke, thoug

cropped head with its overweight of occiput and bull-dog jaw, but he replied courteously, "such trifling diver

ed an actor. The Signorina's talent likewise astonished me, though it was confined to mere pantomime, one might have thought it the languishing of a love-sick girl. By your favour, Signorina, there are indeed certain letters in my saddle-bags w

iendliness, but it was with a sense of impendi

g man, as he tossed upon his bed; "and if his creature knows, then the Grand Duke knows also, and who can guess on what errand this villain comes? He pretended to believe that we were rehearsing a comedy, but he doubtless places the worst possible construction upon the scene which he has just witnessed. Was it a comedy, or am I in earnest? Ah! I have deliberately fallen into the trap against which Malespini warned me. I

is bedroom into the outer hall, the only means of communication between his own room and other parts of the villa. A light shone between the fold

here?" he

isclosing the form of the Captain, towering beyond

, "that I sleep here to-night. Put up your sword, and rest

no better lodging than

nd Duke's orders that I act as your body-guard, and I enter

e portière, threw himself upon his bed confounded. Hi

ced between the widely-drawn curtains that the obstructing truckle-b

g hall when he descended, stole to his side and bade him

Medici presen

ut of breath with running, "I shame to tell you, but you must

pointment to meet at Venice ten days hence, and must leave my papers for the Grand D

uncle has sent Radicofani

d gladly accept his further hospitality; but his Highness will under

i gave to my aunt this morning and which I purloined from her writing-cabinet.

uchess Christi

ured and d

rson purporting to be the Earl of Essex has occasioned me gre

ascal presented himself at the Villa Medici the Earl of Essex personally conducted the sack of the town of Faro in southern Portugal, and, having felonio

ne him by the question and learn his motives in assuming this disguise. If he has brought with him any papers (some of which he may easily have stolen from the Earl of Essex) see to it that Radicofani obtains possession of them before the rascal's suspicions are aroused. I tremble when I think how he may have practised upon you

oving h

din

ns to no one not even to my niece, but take leave of this caitiff

h he stood. "The Grand Duke is correct in his suspicions,"

nown it all along?" he exclaimed. "Th

n the Earl of Essex. I have no guess as to the station to which you may have been born, but y

r feet, my Queen, the only woman who has ever really understood or cared for me." His arms were about her and she was sobbing in the excitement of her

Duke is fair-minded, and will not fail to credit my as

rove it he will use every inch of his advantage ere you escape his clutches. You must fly, but how? On learning an hour since, that Radicofani had descended to the city, I ordered our horses for a ride only

ce I have committed no crime I shall no

on guard for half an hour by the sun-dial and you have wasted it in idle chatter. I tell you, Signor, my mistress is right,

y. It was she, he suspected, who had ushered Radicofani into the garden on the previous evening, o

do you suggest L

"the one standing between the fountain and the parapet y

" Brandilancia rep

emind me of the incident and to inquire for you whenever she calls for the linen. I have been obliged to stop her mouth with more than one coin to keep her from blabbing to the Grand Duchess. However that incident proves to have been all for the best. Her cart is at the kitchen door, she is waiting ther

Garden of th

ina, from the tales of Ser Giovanni suggested that expedient," he said. "It were a

dici in a whisper, throwing her arms about

e persisted. "It shall never be said that the Earl

into my trap," he sneered. "I knew that the Signorina would warn you. You were acting a tableau I presume just now as you held her in your embrace. A pretty scene, i' faith, but one of which the Grand Duke will not be amused

nd Leonora also, to remain in your own suite of apartments a

riting my uncle how unwarrantably Captain Radicofani exceeds hi

he condottiere the dwarf took a cajoling tone. "At least yo

the Captain, "but you may order it served in this

s prisoner constantly in sight. The latter's hope of escape had reached a low ebb when Malespini knocked timidly. He had brought certain papers which the Signor had left in the library. Captain Radico

evolutions he hurtled against a servant bringing the luncheon, and fully half of the viands poured like an avalanche down the stairs. Whi

brought?" grumbled the

s room. For your lordship dinner awaits in the banquet-room, where the Grand Duchess has ordered a boar's-head, stuffed with sage and onio

cing that Malespini was edging nearer to his friend,

soner, as he lighted one of the tapers in the mantel cande

not yet noon. What need of lights? Pl

g downward into pitchy darkness. Comprehending Malespini's admonition, he hastily appropriated the candles, and, drawing the bedstead into its place behind him, descended the dizzily circling steps. Eighty-seven he counted, twisting round and round within the turret, and then he paused, for he distinctly heard the sound of rushing w