It was a
blunt way of reminding me that in this Cosimo I saw one who followed after
me in the heirship to Mondolfo, and in whose interests it was that I should
don the conventual scapulary.
I looked at Cosimo's haughty face and cruel mouth, and conjectured in that
hour whether I should have found him so very civil and pleasant a cousin
had things been other than they were.
0, a very serpent was Messer Fifanti; and I have since wondered whether of
intent he sought to sow in my heart hatred of my guelphic cousin, that he
might make of me a tool for his own service--as you shall come to
understand.
Meanwhile, Cosimo, having recovered, waved aside the imputation, and smiled
easily.
"Nay, there you wrong me. The Anguissola lose more than I shall gain by
Agostino's renunciation of the world. And I am sorry for it. You believe
me, cousin?"
I answered his courteous speech as it deserved, in very courteous terms.
This set a pleasanter humour upon all. Yet some restraint abode. Each
sat, it seemed, as a man upon his guard. My cousin watched Gambara's every
look whenever the latter turned to speak to Giuliana; the Cardinal-legate
did the like by him; and Messer Fifanti watched them both.
And, meantime, Giuliana sat there, listening now to one, now to the other,
her lazy smile parting those scarlet lips--those lips that I had kissed
that morning--I, whom no one thought of watching!
And soon came Messer Annibale Caro, with lines from the last pages of his
translation oozing from him.
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