The Washington times., 1895-02-10
CHAPTER III

I know Of naught 10y which a man may
better be judged than by his bearing in mat
tiers Of love. What know OF love? say you,
whose head is gray and shaven. to boot.
True. it is gray and il is shaven. But once
it was brown, and the tonsure came not there
till had lived thirty years and borne arms
for twelve. Then came death 10 one loved
and the tonsure 10 me. Therefore. oh, ye
proud Young men and laughing girls, old
Anselm knows of love, though his knowledge
be only like the memory that man has OF a
glorious red-gold sunscr which his eyes saw Il
year ago: cold are the tints gone the rich
ness. sober and faint tine picture. Yet II is
something he sees no more. but he has
seen. and sometimes still seem TO see face
that saw last in smiling death. They tell
me such thoughts are not fitting OF me, but
douif their doing man much harm, for they
make him take JOY when others reap the hap
piness that he. fOrestalled by fate's sickle,
could not garner. But enough. II IS OF
Count Antonio 1 would write, and not of my
poor self. And the story may be worth the
writing or would De, had more skill 10 pen
:.
Now. in the second year Of Count Antonio's
Aanishment. when the fierce anger Of Duke
Valentine was vet hot for the presumption
shown by the count IN the matter of Duke
Pauls death. q messenger came privately TO
where the band lay hidden in the hills, bring
ing greeting 10 Antonio from the Prince OF
Mantiyogla, between whom and the duke
there was great enmity. For IN days gone
by Forniola hal paid tribute TO Mantiyoglia.
and this burden had been broken of only
some thirty years, and the prince. learning
that Antonio was at variance with Duke
Valentine. perceived au opportunity and sent
70 Antonio. praying him very courteously TO
zrfcT NTnzlffvnvlia and Ia his
Antonio. who knew the prince well, sent
him thanks. and. having made dispositions
for the safety of his company. and set Tom
masino in charge OF il, himself rode with the
man they called Bena, and, having crossed
the frontier came on the second day TO Mon
tivoglia. Here he was received with great
state. and all in the city were eager 10 see
him. having heard how ne dealt with Duke
Paul and how he renounced the authority OF
Valentine And the prince lodged him in his
palace, and prepared a banquet for him, and
set him on the right hand of the princess, who
was a very fair lady. learned, and OF excel
lent vii: Indeed, have by me certain stories
which she composed. and would read on
sumner evenings in he garden. and il may
be that il live ] will make known certain of
them; others there are that only the discreet
should read; for what to one age is but mirth,
turn in the mind Of the next TO unseemliness
and ribaldrT.
This princess. then, was very gracious to
the count, and spared no effort 10 give him
pleasure. and she asked him very many
things concerning the Lady Lucia, saying at
last: "Is she fairer than I, my lord." And
Antonio answered with laugh, The morn
is not lairer than the sun. nor the sun than
the morn; yet they are different" And the
princess laughed also, saying merrily, We'll
parried, nv lordr' And she rose and went
with the prince and Antonio into the garden.
Then the prince opened TO Antonio what was
in his mind, saying: Take what command
you will in my service, and come with me
against Forniola; and when we have brought
Valentine to his knees i will take what was
my fathers. and should be mine, and you
shall wiring from him your pardon and the
hand Of your lady" And the princess also
eDtreated him. But Antonio answered:
u cannot do il. II your highness rides to
FornIola. il is likely enough that / also may
ridethither: but / shall ride 10 put my sword
at the service of the duke. For although he
is not my friend, Vet his enemies are mine.
And from this th7y could not turn hin. Then
the prince praised him, saying: Il love you
more for denying me, Antonio, and when
send word OF my coming TO Valentine will
tel him also, Of what you have done. And
If We meet by the walls Of Forniola. we viii
fight Ike men: and after that you shall come
again to Msniiyoglia." and he drank wine
with Antonio, and so bade him god speed.
Aud the princess. when her husband was
gone. looked at the count and said: "Nalen-
tine viii not give her to you. Why will not
you take herr" But Antonio answered: The
price is too high.
81 would not have man who thought any
price too high, erred tie princess.
Then your highness would mate with a
rogue?" asked Count Antonio, smiling.
IF be we're enc for my sake only said
she. fixing her eyes on MS face aud signing
lightly as ladies sigh when they would tell
that can be repeated But Antonio kissed
her hand and took leave Of her, and with
another sigh she watched him 90.
But when the middle of the next month
came the Prince Of Mantivoglia gathered an
army Of 5000 men.-of whom 100 were
mounted, and crossed the frontier, directing
hls march toward FOrniola by way OF the
base OF Mount Agnino and the road to the
village OF RilaDa. AND the duke. hearing of
his approach. mustered his guards TO the
number OF $50 men. and armed besides hard
upon 2, coo OF the townsmen and apprentices,
taking an oath OF them that they would serve
him lovally, for he feared and distrusted
them. and OF the whole force LOO had
horses. And Count Antonio lay still in the
mountains and did not offer to come to the
dukes aid.
"WiI YOU not pray his leave TO come and
fight for himY" asked Tommassino.
He viii love TO beat the prince without
forbid that I should seem TO snatch al glory
and make chance for myself from his ne
cessity."
So he abode two days where he was, and
then there came a shepherd. who said:
my lord the duke has marched out Of the
city. and lay last night at Rilano. and is 10.
day stretched across the road that leads from
the spurs OF Agnino TO Bilano, his right wing
resting on the river. There he waits the ap
proach Of the prince, and they say that a.
GaYbreak tomorrow the prince will attack.
Then Antonio rose, saying; "Mnat OF tht
night2'
Now. the night was very dark and the foe
hung IKE gray cloak over the plain. And
Antonio collected all his men. TO the number
ofthreescore and live, all well armed and
well horsed. and bade them march very si.
lently and with great caution, and led them
down into the plain. And all the night they
rode softly. hussanding their strength and
sparing their horses, and an hour before the
break Of day they passed through the out
skirts of hilano and halted mile beyond the
viliage, seeing the fires OF the dukes bivouacs
stretched across the road in front OF them
and beyond there were other fires, fwhere the
Prince of Mantiyogia lay encamped. And
Bena said:
The prince win be too strong for the duke
my lord
''If he be. we. also. shall fight tomorrow
Bena.' answered Antonio.
Il trust, then. that they prove at least vel
matched" +" said Bena; for he loved TO fight
and yet was ashamed to wish that the duke
shonld be defeated.
Then Count Antonio took counsel viii
Tommasino. and they led the band very
secretly across the rear Of the dukes camp
til they came 10 the river Now, there was
mill on the river and 10y the mill great COW