The Winslow mail., 1900-03-29

st. Dennis!" he exclaimed. "What does
this mean, Bayard?
1T means, your eminence, that this is
gallant gentleman who has been most basely
used; but pardon me-the letter."
He took the letter from the cardinals
hands and read it quickly, whilst | sat still,
with emotions in my heart cannot describe,
and DAmboise glanced from one to another
with half-amused, half-curious look on his
keen face. Bayard finished his perusal in a
few seconds, and, laying the letter on the
table, said: Nothing could be better. We
should be prepared for action, although
there is yet plenty of time | wonder how in
the world the Florentine got wind of this?"
"Oh, he has long ears. We shall, however,
want good sword, and if all that the Sec
retary writes is true we have got it in your
Trend the Cavaliere Donati In fact, Machi-
avelli suggests him for the task"
My name, your eminence, is not Donati,"
| here put in, "but Savelli. When misfor-
tune overlook me l changed my name; but
L see no reason for hiding the truth from
you"
"Quite right" said D'Amboise, ''but Sa-
velli! Is this the Savelli of the Arezzo at
fair, Bayard?"
Bayard nodded assent, and the cardinal
continued, turning to me. "Then, sir, | have
heard your story; and you have more friends
than you think. But of this, later on. Were
you not at Forno7o%
eyes" / replied, wondering what the car
dinaPs speech meant.
"Clel! made out your patent of st. La
zare myself What could have made Ire
mouille act as he did do not know, and he
IS as obstinate as mule. Bayard, l know all
about this gentleman, and your testimony
to his worth convinces me that what have
heard is correct. l could never believe the
story myself"
"My lords, you may doubt; but the
world"
"Will yet come round to you, cavaliere,' -
said Bayard, and added: "Your eminence
could not have better sword for your pur-
pose than that of M. di Savelli here, pro-
vlded he will accept the task"
Il will accept anything from you, my
lords" l said.
Good" said D'Amboise, "now let me
tell you how you stand. Acting doubtless
on the advice of friends, Nine d d'Entrangues
wrote to me full account of the affair,
which ended so badly for you, and explained
fully her husbands treachery This she
begged me TO forward to TremouilIc with a
view Of getting your sentence altered. AS
you have just been made aware, have some
| knowledge of you, and it was a thousand
| pltles to see sword, which had served
| France well, turned away. | laid the matter
before the duke, but he replied to say he
| could take no action. The duchess, who is
my cousin, has also used her influence, but
to no purpose, for Tremouile stirs his por-
| nd i 1
it it burn or not, as long as he stirs it him
self. We could get the kings pardon for
you, and as last resource that might be
done, for | like as little to be thwarted as
His Grace of Tremouille; but that will raise
you up a strong enemy in the duke, and it
will not kill the story-you see."
81 do, your eminence. How can | thank
you?"
II do not want your thanks, cavaliere; but
| France wants your sword. Your only way
is to do q signal service for France, and after
this the matter is easy. Tremouille is gen
erous, and it would want but little pressure
to make him rescind his sentence apparently
of his own accord, provided you could dc
what have said. Strange how fate works! y
| / remained silent, and D'Amboise went
on: "Such a service it is possible for you tc
do, and | will put it in your way. | cannot
at present give you details, as they have tc
be discussed with the secretary, who vii
shortly be in Rome. This much, however,
can tell you; get together few good men
| you doubtless can lay your hands on them
and be ready. You will no doubt want funds
but they will be arranged for In the mean
time you may consider yourself as attached
to my suite-a moment" he continued, as
was about to pour out my thanks, ''you had
better for the present call yourself Donati
| know something of the history of Roman
families, and your name would not smell
well to the Chigi and Colonna, and remem
| Der the Tiber is very deep"
He touched small handbell as he con
cluded, and the page appeared "Defaure,
he said, "send the Able LIE Clere and my
gentlemen to me; after that you will please
inform the steward that apartments are tc
be prepared at once for NJ Donati, who is
here" The page bowed and vanished, and
as | rose to await the coming of the suite, the
cardinal went on with a smile: "Messleurs
in the anteroom are doubtless getting i'm
patient; we must make haste to receive
them" AS he said these words gray
! haired priest entered, bearing on cushion
the scarlet hat of a prince of the church, and
following him half a dozen gentlemen and
grooms of the chamber. The cardinal rose
and, leaning on the arm of Bayard, walked
slowly towards the door. LIE Clerc bore the
hat Immediately before him, and the rest ol
us formed a queue behind. As we came to
the door it was flung open by two lackeys IN
blue and silver livery, who shouted out:
"My Lord Cardinal-way-way
We passed into the room where the peo-
pie were arranged in two rows, and DAM,
boise walked down the line bowing to one,
exchanging word or two with another, un-
til he came opposite Corte. The doctor
dropped to his knee, and, presenting his
| book, solicited the cardinals influence to
obtain from him an audience with the pope,
to whom he desired to dedicate his work.
"Perte!" said the cardinal. 'Why not PC
to his eminence of Strigonia-books are
more in his line than-well, we shall See
we shall see"
He passed on, and the next group that
caught hiseye was that of the young stranger
in the cloth of gold and his companion.
As the cardinal approached, the young
man drew a letter from his vest and pre-
sented it with a low bow.
D'Amboise tore it open and glanced over
the contents. 'Diable" he exclaimed
from Aime de la Tremouille herself. See
here, Bayard, the duchess writes, introduc
ing her friend the Chevaliere st. Armande
i know not the house."
I'VE are of Picardy, your eminence;"
The voice was singularly sweet and soft,
and a strange and undefinable resemblance
In its tones to some other voice had heard
struck me- but could not fix upon anything
The duchess says you are anxious to
serve; would it not have been easier to send
you to the duke?"