The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-12-20
CHATTER XVII.
THE VATICAN.

| The, next morning ! sought an interview
| with DAmboisc anu stated to him what
had occurred. proposing that should leave
Rome al cnrc. aud await his instructions
at any pom, he should tx. 10 my surprise.
he did no, regard the matter in so serious
a light, saving that a small fine would no
doubt settle the matter. My dear cava-
liere.' he said. ''our lord docs not desire
the death OF a sinner. but only his purse
Make your mind easy. but keep a tighter
hand on YOUR men.
II shall assurcdly do so. your cminence."
| Another thing think you will have
TO rut aside your shyncss. and attend me
to the vatican Tor the next few days. Il
is extraordinary how suspicious the court
here is. They keep constant watch on
me. and on all the suite, and your seclu-
sion. and solitary rides out, have been the
subject of remark. The ladies' too are taking
interest in you. in fact. ] have been spe
cially asked to bring you with me. 10y Ma
donna Lucrezia, all owing to a foolish re-
mark made by Strigonia."
| II am at your eminences orders"
1T is a little risk, but do not want them
tC think that you are anything but mere
men%er Of my suite. II there were the
slighte.+ suspicion, all my plans would be
| upset. an the time is at hand now, day
or two al the outside
Thank Coo ! am eating my heart out
here
Courage, CAVALIER. 1t will end soon.
by the way. is Bayaru right in saying you
have enlisted st. Armande:
YES, your eminence."
'Cicl, should not have thought he
would have been one for your purpOy-e. But
that is your affair" and be bcsas to
laugh.
Il have seven good swords behind me
your eminence. The chcvaher may or mag
not do well; but ! could hardly refuse hs
request.
DAmboise made no answer. and our in.
tCrview came TO a close. ! would, however,
add here that nothing ever came of the
burning of the inn. No complaint was ever
laid. as far as could find out and the mat.
ter might have been an everyday occur.
renee. so little attention did il excite.
OF course did not know that affairs had
reached to such pitch Of disorder in Rome.
and lived in hourly expectation. notwith-
standing the cardinals speech. of having
considerable worry over the revengeful zeal
OF Jacopo. | took care that no such thlng
was likely TO occur again. and Master ia
copo was penitent, swearing he would never
give me further cause for annoyance. At
the levee, that morning, St. Armande was,
Hs usual. beside me, and ! whispered to him
to hold himself in readiness, as the time
for our business was at hand.
II am glad of that" he answered, his
face lighting up.
Il attend the cardinal to-day to the vati
can" ] said, by way Of continuing the con-
versation.
There will be much going on this even.
ing" he made reply. "The Florcntne en-.
yoy has been here for the past two days.
and the affair ut the vatican tonight is in
his honor DO you know that you have
excited great curiosity in the hearts OF the
court ladies?"
Indeed? II is not my way"
SIS it not? Well. Lucrezia expressed
particular desire TO see you"
II trust it may not lead to the Tiber,
eEcvalier. The attentions Of the Lady Lu-
cr,1ia are triile dangerous"
lis face became very grave.
'iie civil TO her, nothing more" he whis-
pere,l. "You are quite right. Oh, how !
bate that place! and he shivered little
"Well. we will soon be out Of it,
"Please Cod"
There was no one at the high table at
dinner that day, both the cardinal and lay.
ard having gone TO dine with Siorza at the
Sforza Cessrini, quite an informal business,
and none OF the suite accompanied them.
The conversation at our table turnel
mach on eifairs, and, as there were for once
nS guests, speech was very free.
1.-The fcur-de-lis will cover our tongues"
SAID lie Clerc. land to-day we may let them
wag."
"'rhen how long is this truce to last!"
asked DE Brlconnet, the captain OF the
cardinals guard. II am sick Of this Idle
meas here" he added.
''As for that, no man knows whether il is
peace or war;" replied l.eClerc. ''Tremouille
10 ehalng at Passignano, swearing that the
game was ours II we had only let him march
on after fossombrone. and he was right
Now Cesare has stamped out the Magione
league. and the Borgia are as strong as
cyer"
How came such man as Roderigo l|or-
Gia ever to be made pope:" asked.
lie Clerc laughed AS he passed on the |
Oryieto.
when our lord, the sainted Innocent, |
was called away. there We! three dvOrlles !
in the Conclave. One was Giuliano della |
Revere. the other Ascanio Sforza. and the |
third Roderigo Borgia. His emlnence Of |
81. Sablne's was our man. and the cleo
ton would have been certain had not lior-
eia and Ascanio joined hands and the Milan
ese voted Tor RodeHgo.'
II did not think Siorza would have been
% self sacTihc:ng," said DE Briconnct.
There were compensations. Jacques"
lie (lerc went on. -Four mue-loads OF gold
were given to Ascanio. he was made vice
chancellor OF the church. aud given Bor
EiA OWE palace. the esarni. where bis
dimes to day. Immediately after
the elections were made I was at the rota
eko banging a lew words with your uncle.
the cardinal OF 81. Malo. and be told me
that az soon az the result was known. Me
d,ci turned to Cardinal ibo. and said: We
sre in the Jaws OF the volt. Heaven grant
tia he may not deyOuI us'' As Tor Blr'
2is be could do nothing ut walk about,
calling out; Z am pope, ptntIh. vrsr Of
I bret"
- 10 10, suppose i Gao lsst long, Ssid
De bFlO0nOgt,