Upon him I can count; and
he is rich and powerful. But then, he is not really a Piacentino himself.
He holds his fief direct from the Emperor. Pagliano is part of the State
of Milan, and Cavalcanti is no subject of Farnese. His case, therefore, is
exceptional and he has less than the usual cause for timidity. But the
others..." Again he shrugged. "What man can do to stir them, that will I
do. You shall hear from me soon again, my lord."
Gonzaga looked at me. "Did you not say that here was another?"
Galeotto smiled sadly. "Ay--just one arm and one sword. That is all.
Unless this emprise succeeds he is never like to rule in Mondolfo. He may
be counted upon; but he brings no lances with him."
"I see," said Gonzaga, his lip between thumb and forefinger. "But his
name..."
"That and his wrongs shall be used, depend upon it, my lord--the wrongs
which are his by inheritance."
I said no word. A certain resentment filled me to hear myself so disposed
of without being consulted; and yet it was tempered by a certain trust in
Galeotto, a faith that he would lead me into nothing unworthy.
Gonzaga conducted us to the door of the closet. "I shall look to hear from
you, Ser Galeotto," he said. "And if at first the nobles of the Val di
Taro are not to be moved, perhaps after they have had a taste of Messer
Pier Luigi's ways they will gather courage out of despair.
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