I counsel you to seek the Imperial
Lieutenant at Piacenza without delay. Here you waste time."
His lips closed with a snap. Then, at last, his eyes wandered to Bianca,
who stood just beside and slightly behind me.
"Let me appeal to you, Monna Bianca..." he began.
But at that I got between them. "Are you so dead to shame," I roared,
"that you dare address her, you pimp, you jackal, you eater of dirt? Be
off, or I will have this drawbridge raised and deal with you here and now,
in despite of Pope and Emperor and all the other powers you can invoke.
Away with you, then!"
"You shall pay!" he snarled, "By God, you shall pay!"
And on that he went off, in some fear lest I should put my threat into
execution.
But Bianca was in a panic. "He will do as he says." she cried as soon as
we had re-entered the courtyard. "The Emperor cannot deny him justice. He
must, he must! 0, Agostino, it is the end. And see to what a pass I have
brought you!"
I comforted her. I spoke brave words. I swore to hold that castle as long
as one stone of it stood upon another. But deep down in my heart there was
naught but presages of evil.
On the following day, which was Sunday, we had peace. But towards noon on
Monday the blow fell. An Imperial herald from Piacenza rode out to
Pagliano with a small escort.
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