The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-12-01
''Mark that man, Jacopo," said; 'wher-


whole country is awake, as you know. The
general, Ives d'Alegres, is come ON mis-
sion to Florence"
ives d'Alegres here!"
"Yes, excellency, and the lord of Bayard
has hurried to Rome"
''Then this means something that can
not follow"
Nor can explain, excellency."
"And tell me, has the duchessc de la
Tremouille gone back to France?'
eyes, Dy sea from Leghorn, with a great
train of ladies, just before war was declared
again. It is said she is gone to the court
of the king of Macon, and the escort was
commanded by Count Carlo Visconti."
"Do You know any who went with her?
NEARLY all the ladies who were at Arezzo,
for the duke, it is said, would have none of
them, now that war was begun again"
l had to come to the question direct:
"Was Nine. d'Entrangues in the train of
the duchess%
81 am sure of that, excellency. I was
with them as far as Siena, when took my
leave"
So she had gone, and felt relief at the
news. Once in France, she would be safe
with her family, and I was honestly glad
che was out of the dangers of the time.
We had now reached the horse market,
and with some search discovered two like
Unlocking animals, whose price was within
the measure of my purse. I could not af-
ford to pick and choose to any great 'ex-
tent. but for 40 crowns became the owner
after a little trial, which showed they
were as sound as could see-of two nags,
one bay, and the other russell, with an
off foot white above the pastern, an IN
lucky color, and the white marking denoted.
Icxy, lf,rv R,,f ha cha.or Il 0olyI
beast, and l kept him for myself, giving
the bay to Jacopo. Having paid on the
spot for these, together with the necessary
saddlery, we rode to the shop where / had
left my purchases, and collected them. 1t
was here that the idea struck me that there
was an opportunity to keep my word, and
return her gift to Madonna Angola; there
fore asking messer the shopkeeper for seal
ing-waX and some parchment, which he will
ingly supplied on small payment, care
fully folded up the tart, and sealed up the
packet. Taking it in my hand, l went out
to Jacopo, who was holding the horses, and
said:
''See here, Jacopo. Take this packet to
the house of the secretary Machiavelli. 1t
lies in the ward San Spirito, near Santa Fe-
iicita, and cannot be missed. Deliver it
into the hands of the Lady Angola, say
nothing, and come away. There is no re-
ply needed; you follow?"
"Excellency."
Fright. Then after doing this you may
hour and half at the San Frediano gate.
And you might as well bring a feed for the
horses with you. Stay, here are two
crowns"
ct shall be done, your worship. know
the secretary's house, and the rest is SIM
pie"
He mounted bis horse, and trotted off;
and, rejecting that chaffinch in cage
is better than a mavis in a bush, and that
/ might as well dine now whilst l had the
chance, swung myself into the saddle, and
proceeded at smart pace toward the
Double Florin.
l had to cross the piazza of the Signory
IN my way there, and whilst doing so came
face to face with a riding party. 1t was
composed of several ladies and gentlemen,
and amongst them was Machiavelli, who
glanced at me with friendly twinkle in his
eye, and gave me an imperccptible nod of
approval. Almost Immediately behind him
was old Ives d'Alegres, riding with a bolt
upright seat, and making himself agreeable,
in his bear-like manner, to Lady Angola,
who rode beside him. There was no avoid
[ saluted as they came up. A look of
contempt spread over the features of the
general, who made no response, and Ma
donna Angola kept her eyes fixed before
her, as if she had seen nothing. They
passed by in a moment, leaving me speech
less with anger, for, owing to my failure
to preserve disguise, l had allowed my
beard to grow again, and D'Alegres without
doubt recognized me. There was some ex-
cuse perhaps for him; but none 1 could
think of for her, and, to add to my chagrin,
l thought that Jacopo would probably
waste hours in awaiting her return. 1 let
my horse out to a hand gallop, notwith-
standing the pavement, and luckily doing
no injury TO any of the passers-by or to him,
pulled up in a few minutes at the door of
my ordinary. Here, although tried to eat,
l was so angry that could only triAe with
my food, and, raging within myself, drank
full measure of wine, swallowed such NOR
sells as could, and went to see after my
horse. BY my directions he had light feed,
and was being rubbed down. As provision
against accidents, l purchased bottle of
Chianti, together with roast fowl and
loaf of white bread, and these 1 placed in
my saddle-bags. Then, seeing to the sad
ding of the horse myself, exchanged my
velvet cap for the steel helmet. and draw
ing my sword-belt in by hole, sprang into
the saddle, and went on at leisurely pace
towards the San Frediano gate. There was
still plenty of time, so made no hurry, and,
indeed, when reached the gate, the gong
there doomed out five o'clock, leaving a
half hour still to spare before Jacopo was
due. pulled up therefore at the side of the
road, and dismounting, led my horse up