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Updated: May 22, 2025
"I know nothing of that," she said hurriedly, "save that he came with five others in a ship from England and encamped at Paomia below; that, being taken prisoners, they professed to be seeking the Queen Emilia, to deliver her; and that thereupon of the six I let four go, keeping this one as hostage, with his friend, who has since died." "And the crown," put in Stephanu.
The moon, when I fell asleep, had not surmounted the ridge behind me, and that patch of road, now showing so white and clear, had been dim, if not quite invisible. None the less I could be sworn that two figures had passed up the road . . . two men . . . Marc'antonio and Stephanu? reconnoitring perhaps? I rubbed my eyes.
The Prince packed you off, meaning mischief of some kind what mischief you, being on the spot, should have been able to guess." "It is God's truth, then, that I could not," Stephanu admitted sullenly; "and what is more, neither could you in my place have made a guess no, not with all your wisdom." "But you travelled back with all speed? You have seen her?" "I travelled back with all speed."
"I tell you," she said, "that Giuseppe's death rests on the prisoner's word alone. Marc'antonio and Stephanu have gone down and will bring us the truth of it. Meanwhile I say that this one is our prisoner, like as the others. Give him room and let him wait by his friend. Does any one say 'nay' to that?" she demanded. The scowling man, with a glance at his comrades' faces, gave way.
"Princess," said my father, coldly, "your men have broken faith. I came to you under no compulsion, obeying your flag of truce. It was no part of the bargain that our camp should be pillaged." For a while she did not seem to hear; but stood at gaze, her eyes round with wonder. "Stephanu, bring it here," she commanded. The man brought it.
"Stephanu," said Marc'antonio, gravely, "the Englishman meant that for you: and I tell you what I have told you before, that yours are no fitly kept hands for a cook. I have travelled abroad and seen the ways of other nations." "The sty will need mending too, Princess," said I: "but before nightfall I will try to have it ready."
I took the Princess's hand which neither yielded nor resisted and lifting it a little way, released it to fall again limply. So for a while there was silence between us four. "Marc'antonio," said I, "and you, Stephanu it is I now who speak for the Princess and decide for her; and I decide that you, who have served her faithfully, deserve to be told all the truth.
Stop!" said I, as he made a motion to protest. "You four you and Stephanu and the Prince and Fra Domenico know something which it concerns her fame to keep hidden; you four, and no other that I wot of. You are all her men, her champions: and yet this secret leaks out and poisons all minds against the cause. Because of it, Paoli will have no dealing with you.
"She must have been sitting there for sentry," said Stephanu, "At any rate, there was no other guard set on the camp. Well, if so, she took it easily enough; but catching sight of me she stood up, put her finger to her lip and pointed over the ledge. Thereupon I peered over, but drew back my head before Andrea and Jacopo could spy me.
Her brother rounded on her with a curse. For the moment she did not heed, but kept her eyes on Stephanu, who had stepped back with musket half lifted and finger already moving toward the trigger-guard. "Stephanu," she repeated, "on my faith as a Corsican, if you raise that gun an inch even a little inch higher, I will never speak to you again."
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