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Updated: June 25, 2025
Alone in the gardens of the Palace, Gonzaga paced after night had fallen, and with his eyes to the stars that began to fleck the violet sky, he smiled a smile of cunning gratification. He bethought him how well advised had been his suggestion that they should take a priest to Roccaleone.
"I saw none," replied the fool, in whom this sudden eagerness of the captain's awakened caution and reflection. "But there were four litters," put in Francesco, whose nature was less suspicious and alert than the wise fool's. Too late Peppe scowled caution at him. The captain swore a great oath. "It is she," he cried, with assurance. "And this company was travelling to Roccaleone, you say.
There they slept no longer than until matins, so that the grey light of dawn saw them once more upon their way, and by the time the sun had struck with its first golden shaft the grey crest of the old hills, they drew rein on the brink of the roaring torrent at the foot of the mighty crag that was crowned by the Castle of Roccaleone.
It was of the Captain of the Gate that he sought information. "Can you tell me, Ser Capitan," he inquired, "what company was that that travelled yesternight to Roccaleone?" The captain looked at him a moment. "There was none that I know of," said he, "Certainly none from Urbino." "You keep a marvellous watch," said the fool drily.
Within an hour there was such diligent bustle in Roccaleone, such an air of grim gaiety and high spirits, that Valentina, observing it, wondered what manner of magician was this she had raised to the command of her fortress, who in so little time could work so marvellous a change in the demeanour of her garrison.
"You?" echoed Fanfulla. "But the Venetians?" By a gesture the Count signified how little the Venetians weighed with him when compared with the fortunes of this lady. "I am going to Roccaleone," he insisted, "now at once." And striding to the door he beat his hands together and called Lanciotto.
"Could it be done?" she wondered, her eyes sparkling at the anticipation of such a deed. "It could, indeed it could," he answered, with an eagerness no whit less than her own. "Immure yourself in Roccaleone, and thence hurl defiance at Urbino and Babbiano, refusing to surrender until they grant your terms that you are to marry as you list."
And to his still dormant senses came the voice of Lanciotto, laden with hurry and alarm. "Awake, lord! Up, afoot! We are beset." The Count leapt from his bed, and hastened to throw wide the door to admit his servant, who with excited face and voice bore him the news that Gian Maria had reached Roccaleone in the night, and was now encamped in the plain before the castle.
"Time will show," said the hunchback. "It will show, then, that I have done no hurt whatever to her interests. By now she is safe in Roccaleone. What, then, can befall her? Guidobaldo, no doubt, will repair to her, and across the moat he will entreat her to be a dutiful niece and to return.
I did not bargain with such a death as awaits us here, and I frankly tell you that I have no stomach for it." "I begin to understand," murmured Cappoccio, sagely wagging his head, and there was a shrewd insolence in his tone and manner. "When we leave Roccaleone you come with us?" Gonzaga nodded. "But why do you not say these things to Fortemani?" questioned Cappoccio, still doubting.
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