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Updated: May 1, 2025
"Yes; that is what I mean." "But why," he insisted, his surprise increasing, "do you urge such a course upon us?" "Because, Cappoccio," was the plausible reply, "like yourselves, I was lured into this business by insidious misrepresentations. The assurances that I gave Fortemani, and with which he enrolled you into his service, were those that had been given to me.
Francesco met his eyes steadily for a moment, then glanced at the other men, to the number of a half-score or so all, in fact, whom the duties he had apportioned them did not hold elsewhere. They hung in the rear of Cappoccio, all ears for what was being said, and their countenances plainly showing how their feelings were in sympathy with their spokesman.
"I have here a proof," he cried, "of what I tell you; proof of how little Gian Maria is prepared to carry out his threats of cannon. It is that fellow Cappoccio has seduced you with his talk. And you, like the sheep you are, let yourselves be driven by his foul tongue.
"Fortemani!" echoed Gonzaga. "By the Host, no! The man is bewitched by that plausible rogue, Francesco. Far from resenting the fellow's treatment of him, he follows and obeys his every word, like the mean-spirited dog that he is." Again Cappoccio sought to scrutinise Gonzaga's face. But the light was indifferent. "Are you dealing with me fairly?" he asked.
You see I am frank with you." Now for all that what Gonzaga told him might sort excellently well with the ideas he had himself entertained, Cappoccio was of a suspicious nature, and his suspicions whispered to him now that Gonzaga was actuated by some purpose he could not gauge.
"To the armoury yonder, Peppe! Fetch me a two-handed sword the stoutest you can find. Ercole, come with me. Gonzaga Nay, you had best stay here. See to Monna Valentina." He stepped to her side now, and rapidly surveyed the surging scene below, where Cappoccio was still addressing the men. At sight of Francesco, they raised a fierce yell, as might a pack of dogs that have sighted their quarry.
Valentina looked at the rugged, determined features of the man, and fear for the first time stole into her heart and was reflected on her countenance. She was half-turning to Gonzaga, to vent upon him some of the bitterness of her humour for him she accounted to blame when once again Francesco came to the rescue. "Now, shame on you, Cappoccio, for a paltry hind!
He turned without waiting for the reply of Cappoccio who stood crestfallen, his cheeks reddened by shame of his threat to get him hence and conducted Valentina calmly across the yard and up the steps of the hall.
"You may learn it to your undoing." That Gonzaga was not the only one entertaining this opinion they were soon to learn, for, as they reached the courtyard a burly, black-browed ruffian, Cappoccio by name, thrust himself in their path. "A word with you, Messer Gonzaga, and you, Ser Ercole."
"And you a soldier, Cappoccio?" sneered Francesco. "Shall I tell you in what Fortemani was wrong when he enlisted you? He was wrong in not hiring you for scullion duty in the castle kitchen." "Sir Knight!" "Bah! Do you raise your voice to me? Do you think I am of your kind, animal, to be affrighted by sounds however hideous?" "I am not affrighted by sounds." "Are you not?
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