I swung on my heel and pursued my way.
I went above to seek Cavalcanti, and found him newly risen. Wrapped in a
gown of miniver, he received me with the news that having given the matter
thought, he had determined to sacrifice his pride and remove Bianca not
later than the morrow, as soon as he could arrange it. And to arrange it
he would ride forth at once.
I offered to go with him, and that offer he accepted, whereafter I lounged
in his antechamber waiting until he should be dressed, and considering
whether to impart to him the further information I had that morning
gleaned. In the end I decided not to do so, unable to bring myself to tell
him that so much turpitude might possibly be plotting against Bianca. It
was a statement that soiled her, so it seemed to me. Indeed I could
scarcely bear to think of it.
Presently he came forth full-dressed, booted, and armed, and we went along
the corridor and out upon the gallery. As side by side we were descending
the steps, we caught sight of a singular group in the courtyard.
Six mounted men in black were drawn up there, and a little in the
foreground a seventh, in a corselet of blackened steel and with a steel cap
upon his head, stood by his horse in conversation with Farnese. In
attendance upon the Duke were Cosimo and some three of his gentlemen.
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