The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-11-15


news. Once in France, she would be safe
with her family, and ! was honestly glad
she 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. ] could not az.
ford TO pick and choose TO any great ex-
tent, but for 40 crowns became the owner
after little trial, which showed they
were as sound as ! could sec-of two nags,
one bay, and the other a russet, with an
Of foot white above the pastcrn. an I'M
lucky color, aud the white marking denoted
dcviltry. But he was q shrewd looking
beast, and ! Kept him for myself. giving
the bay TO Jacopo. Having paid on the
spot Tor these, together with the necessary
saddlery, We rode to the shop where had
left my purchases, and collected them. II
was here that the idea struck me that there
was an opportunity 10 keep my word, and
return her gift to Madonna Angola, there
fore asking messcr the shopkceper for seal.
ing-waX and some parchment, which he will.
ingly supplied on a small payment, ] care.
fully folded up the tart, and sealed up the
packet. Taking Il in my hand, | went out
to Jacopo, who was holding the horses. and
said:
See here, Jacopo. Take this packet TO
the house Of the secretary Machiavclli. IL
lies in the ward San Spirito. near Santa Fe-
licta, and cannot be missed. Deliver IL
into the hands OF the Lady Angola, say
nothing, and como away. There is no re-
ply needed; you follow"
"Exccliency."
Right. Then after doing this you may
dine, collect your arms, and meet me in an
hour and a half at the San Frcdiano gate
And you might as well bring a feed for the
horses with you. Stay, here are two
crowns"
at shall be done, your worship. know
the secretary's house, and the rest is sim.
pie"
He mounted his horse, and trotted of;
and. rejecting that q chafiinch in a cage
Is better than mavis IN q bush, and that
I might as well dine now whilst had the
chance. ] swung myself into the saddle, and
proceeded at a smart pace toward the
Double Florin.
| had TO cross the piazza Of the Signory
an my way there, and whilst doing so came
face to face with a riding party. II 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 bolt
upright seat, and making himself agreeable,
in his hear-like manner. to Lady Angola.
who rode beside him. There was no avoid.
ing them, and yielding to a sudden impulse
| s0luted 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. NJ u she had seen nothing. They
passed by in a moment, leaving me speech
less with anger, for, owing TO my failure
to preserve n disguise, | had allowed my
beard to grow again, and D'Alcgrcs without
doubt recognized me. There was some ex-
cuse perhaps for him; but none | could
think Of for her, and, 60 add to my chagrin.
thought that JacOpo would probably
waste hours in awaiting her return. let
my horse out to a hand gallop, notwith-
standing the pavement, and luckily doing
no injury 10 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
| was 80 angry that ] could only trihe with
my food, and, raging within myself drank
a 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, ! purchased a bottle Of
Chianti, together with a roast fowl and
leaf OF white bread, and these | placed in
ms saddlc-bags. Then, seeing 20 the sad
ding Of the horse myself, | exchanged my
velvet cap for the steel helmet. and draw.
ing my sword-belt in by a hole. sprang into
the saddle, and went on at a ieIsurciy 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
and down. IL was whilst thus engaged that
l noticed priest, mounted on a smart cob,
trottng in the direction Of the gate, and
knowing that = misfortune and friar are
seldom apart, | observed him narrowly as
he passed. lie drew his cowl, however, over
his face, so that | could make nothing Of
him; but, on reaching the gate, he stopped
10 ask some questions OF the sentry there,
and the man, in raising his hand to salute,
slightly startled the horse, which threw
back its head. This sudden movement made
the hood the rider wore fall back little
but II was enough to enable me to see il
was the library scribe, old Ceci's nephew
and augured no good from this, resolving
nevertheless to be on my guard more than
syer. The pretended priest received an
answer to his inquiry, and, giving his bene
LECTION, in true sacredotal manner, rode of |
1t pace that showed his seat on the library |
stool had not interfered with his seat ia |
he saddle. II was now fully the half hour,
md yet Jacopo did not come. ] waited I'M
I'll the gong struck six, aud was just about |
10 ride of, leaving message with the guard, |
when saw him approaching
Make haste" | cried, as | mounted; |
y on are late"
Pardon, excellencyl But the lady was
rot there. | had 20 wait full hour be |
'ore she came back from riding, and Gen. |
Alegrcs was with her"
"Did you give the packet"
II did. excellency. ! rode up, asked who |
Ady Angola was. and presented the
Jacket, saying it was from Cavaliere di sa-
relli, my master"
ooh, glorious fool! Did | not tell you
my name was DOnati! Did | not tell you
% say nothing, but merely give the packet
Dto the lady's hands?"
Body o. me, excellencyl But there were
70 many about, my wits almost went a
gool-gatheTing. gave madame the packet,
oweyer, and she took It.