Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 25, 2025
Shall it signify aught to him that dies where he gets his dying done? But reassure yourself, you woman," he added, with a laugh, and in a voice loud enough to be heard by the others, "you are not going to die neither here, nor there." "When Roccaleone capitulates " "It will not capitulate," thundered Francesco. "Well, then when it is taken."
But if a favour you would do me, let me see Zaccaria the man that came to Roccaleone to-night." This Ercole had done for him. Now Zaccaria was fully aware of the contents of the letter he had carried, having been instructed by Fanfulla against the chance arising of his being compelled, for his safety, to destroy it an expedient to which he now bitterly repented him that he had not had recourse.
"It means, Madonna," answered the giant bluntly, "that your lap-dog, Messer Gonzaga, is at this very moment admitting Gian Maria and his forces to Roccaleone, by the postern." There was a hoarse cry from the men, which Francesco silenced by a wave of his mailed hand.
That very day Gian Maria began his preparations for the expedition against Roccaleone, and word of it was carried by Fanfulla to Francesco for the latter had left his quarters at the palace upon hearing of Gian Maria's coming, and was now lodging at the sign of the "Sun."
Now listen to the bribe that Gian Maria offers to one within these walls if he can contrive a means to deliver Roccaleone into his hands." And to Gonzaga's paralysing consternation, he heard Francesco read the letter with which Gian Maria had answered his proposed betrayal of the fortress.
Do you but wait until we reach Roccaleone, and by St. Dominic, I'll get your ruffianly commander to hang you for this ill-seasoned jest." But his tormentor laughed for answer, and smote the mule again, a blow this time that almost caused it to rear up. The friar cried out in angry alarm, and then, still storming and threatening his persecutor, he passed on.
And not content with this, he did not limit his sycophancy to Valentina, but sought also by a smiling persistence to ingratiate himself with Francesco. No voice in Roccaleone not even that of the bully Ercole was raised more often or more enthusiastically to praise and glorify their Provost.
"You sleep soundly at Roccaleone," quoth Francesco. "Bestir that knavish garrison of yours, and bid the lazy dogs let down the bridge. I have news for Monna Valentina." "At once, Excellency," the fool replied, and would have gone upon the instant but that Francesco recalled him. "Say, Peppe, a knight the knight she met at Acquasparta, if you will. But leave my name unspoken."
It happened that Alvari was not the only messenger who travelled that day to Roccaleone. There followed him by some hours, the Count of Aquila's servant, Zaccaria, who rode hard and reached the approaches of the castle by sunset. His destination being the fortress itself, he was forced to wait in the woods until night had fallen, and even then his mission was fraught with peril.
They rose soon after, and at Gonzaga's suggestion Valentina paused in the great hall to issue orders that Fortemani be brought before her for judgment. In a score of ways, since their coming to Roccaleone, had Ercole been wanting in that respect to which Gonzaga held himself entitled, and this opportunity he seized with eagerness to vent his vindictive rancour.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking