Now
blessed be God for that!" Then he stopped short, and his eyes went past
me, and he seemed to hesitate.
I turned, and there, leaning on the balustrade of the staircase, looking on
with smiling eyes stood Galeotto with Messer Cavalcanti at his elbow.
I heard Galeotto's words to the Lord of Pagliano. "His heart is sound--
which is a miracle. That woman, it seems, could not quite dehumanize him."
And he came down heavily, to ask Falcone what news he bore.
The old equerry drew a letter from under his leathern jacket.
"From Ferrante?" quoth the Lord of Pagliano eagerly, peering over
Galeotto's shoulder.
"Ay," said Galeotto, and he broke the seal. He stood to read, with knitted
brows. "It is well," he said, at last, and passed the sheet to Cavalcanti.
"Farnese is in Piacenza already, and the Pope will sway the College to give
his bastard the ducal crown. It is time we stirred."
He turned to Falcone, whilst Cavalcanti read the letter. "Take food and
rest, good Gino. For to-morrow you ride again with me. And so shall you,
Agostino."
"I ride again?" I echoed, my heart sinking and some of my dismay showing
upon my face. "Whither?"
"To right the wrongs of Mondolfo," he answered shortly, and turned away.
CHAPTER II
THE GOVERNOR OF MILAN
We rode again upon the morrow as he had said, and with us went Falcone and
the same goodly company of twenty lances that had escorted me from Monte
Orsaro.
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