United States or Argentina ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
In an instant three others bared their weapons and ranged themselves beside him. The remaining two of whom was Lucagnolo folded their hands, manifesting by that impassivity that they were minded to take neither one side nor the other. The carnifex paused in his labours of undressing me, and the affair promised to grow interesting. But Ramiro did not stand his ground.
My men have returned empty-handed once more." "For which mercy may Heaven be praised!" I burst out. He scowled at me; then he laughed evilly. "My men have returned all save three. Captain Lucagnolo with two of his followers, has undertaken to go beyond the area I appointed for the search, and to proceed to the village of Cattolica.
There I joined Lucagnolo a goldsmith, and was employed in making plate and jewels by the Cardinals Cibo, Cornaro, and Salviati, the Bishop of Salamanca, and Signora Porzia Chigi, and was able to open a shop entirely on my own account.
He turned on his horse. "Lucagnolo!" he called, and a man of officer's rank detached himself from the score of men-at-arms and rode forward. "Let six men escort me home to Cesena. Take you the remainder and beat up the country for three leagues about this spot. Do not leave a house outside Cattolica unsearched. You know what we are seeking?" The man inclined his head.
"My search in the country failing," pursued the captain, as he came forward, "I made bold to exceed your orders by pushing my inquiries as far as the village of Cattolica. There I found her after some little labour." Surely I dreamt. Surely, I told myself, this was not possible. There was some mistake. Lucagnolo had drought some wench whom he believed to be Madonna Paola.
I paled and turned cold at the cry with which Ramiro rose to greet him, and the words he dropped, which told me that here was one of the riders of the party that, under Lucagnolo, had been ordered to search the country about Cattolica. Had they found Madonna? "Messer Lucagnolo," the fellow announced, "has sent me to report to you the failure of his search to the west and north of Cattolica.
Lucagnolo had stepped aside, and Ramiro was now bowing low and ceremoniously before Madonna. His face I could not see, since his back was towards me, but his tones, as they floated across the hall to where I stood, came laden with subservience. "Madonna, I give praise and thanks to Heaven for this," said he.
But Ramiro's attention had been diverted from me by the noise. Half-turning in his chair, he called to one of the men-at-arms to ascertain who came. Before the fellow could do his bidding, the door was thrust open and Lucagnolo appeared on the threshold, jaded and worn with hard riding. A certain excitement arose in me at sight of him, despite my confidence that he must be returning empty-handed.
Word Of The Day