Indeed, to say that it was I who invested his palace is to say too much.
The leader of that expedition was Monna Bianca's own father, who, having
discovered the truth of the nefarious traffic in which Messer Cosimo was
engaged, hastened to rescue his daughter from an infamy."
Cosimo shrugged. "These are mere words," he said.
"The lady herself is present, and can bear witness to their truth," I
cried.
"A prejudiced witness, indeed!" said Cosimo with confidence; and Gonzaga
nodded, whereupon my heart sank.
"Will Messer Agostino give us the names of any of the braves who were with
him?" quoth Cosimo. "It will no doubt assist the ends of justice, for
those men should be standing by him now."
He checked me no more than in time. I had been on the point of citing
Falcone; and suddenly I perceived that to do so would be to ruin Falcone
without helping myself.
I looked at my cousin. "In that case," said I, "I will not name them."
Falcone, however, was minded to name himself, for with a grunt he made
suddenly to rise. But Galeotto stretched an arm across Bianca, and forced
the equerry back into his seat.
Cosimo saw and smiled. He was very sure of himself by now.
"The only witness whose word would carry weight would be the late Lord of
Pagliano," he said.
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