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Updated: June 22, 2025
"The ways into which I lead your son, Madonna," said he in a low voice that boomed up and echoed in the groined ceiling overhead, "are the ways that were trod by my lord his father. And who says that the ways of Giovanni d'Anguissola were evil ways lies foully, be he man or woman, patrician or villein, pope or devil." And upon that he paused magnificently, his eyes aflash.
Amongst these, we heard that he had Giovanni d'Anguissola decapitated in effigy for his rebellion against the authority of the Holy See, and that my tyrannies of Mondolfo and Carmina were confiscated from me because of my offence in being Giovanni d'Anguissola's son.
"It is so very like a man to scorn the thing I could tell him after he has already heard it from me." "The thing you told me was false," said I. "It was begotten of fear to see your own base interests thwarted. It is proven so by the circumstance that the Duke has sought the hand of Madonna Bianca for Cosimo d'Anguissola." "For Cosimo?" she cried, and I never saw her so serious and thoughtful.
"Are you implying, sir, that there is a further crime for which Messer Agostino d'Anguissola should be indicted?" he inquired. Cosimo shrugged and pursed his lips. "I will not go so far, since the matter of Ettore Cavalcanti's death does not immediately concern me. Besides, there is enough contained in the indictment as it stands."
They had risen, and threatened the Governor's life; and he was fled to Rome or Parma, whilst the authorities to avoid a scandal had connived at the escape of Messer d'Anguissola, who was also gone, no man knew whither. The news had travelled speedily into that mountain fastness, it seemed. But it had been garbled at its source.
I heard a voice which was at once harsh and effeminate and quite detestable, saying in unfriendly tones: "The son of Giovanni d'Anguissola of Mondolfo, eh?" "The same, my lord," said Cavalcanti, adding generously "Giovanni d'Anguissola was my friend." "It is a friendship that does you little credit, sir," was the harsh answer. "It is not well to befriend the enemies of God."
Now I submit to your excellency, and to your worthinesses," he added, turning aside, "that this confiscation is grotesque and impossible, since Mondolfo and Carmina never were the property of Agostino d'Anguissola, and could no more be taken from him than can a coat be taken from the back of a naked man unless," he added, sneering, "a papal bull is capable of miracles."
"Sir," I said, "from my heart I thank you for that pious, kindly wish; and I would that I might fully correspond to it. But Agostino d'Anguissola, who has been so near to death in the body, is, indeed, dead to the world already. Here you see but a poor hermit named Sebastian, who is the guardian of this shrine." Gervasio rose suddenly.
"Are you the thing that has grown out of that little child I vowed to chastity and to God? Then has my sin overtaken me the sin of bearing a son to Giovanni d'Anguissola, that enemy of God!" "Ah, mother, mother!" I cried again, thinking perhaps by that all-powerful word to move her yet to pity and to gentleness. "Madonna," cried Gervasio, "be merciful if you would look for mercy."
This is Agostino d'Anguissola, of Mondolfo and Carmina." Surprise overspread Gonzaga's face. He seemed about to speak, and checked, and his eyes were very searchingly bent upon Galeotto's face, which remained inscrutable as stone. Then the Governor looked at me, and from me back again at Galeotto. At last he smiled, whilst I bowed before him, but very vaguely conscious of what might impend.
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