The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-03-02

duke would ma QlS entertainment 70 MS
liking. How it happened that Cesare came
off with a whole skin never knew, but he
did, as have mentioned above, and it sur
passes belief. He turned cur at the last, and
the low blood showed in him; but he was
one of those men who knew how to be thor
oughly bad. Orsini took back his lances,
saying he had need of them, SO that it was
with my own few men that reached the
Palazzo Corneto. must except Bande Mere
from this number, and / was truly sorry for
his death, for his was an honest sword. The
cardinal received me in the little chamber
where VIC had supped with Machiavelh. He
had thrown aside his clerical habit and was
in mail, but wore his barettina on his head.
He was more than kind, congratulating me
heartily on my success, going SO far as to
say that by capturing Cesare / had given a
kingdom to France. I then left him with
further assurances of his good will towards
me, and saw him no more for the day.
Towards the small hours of the next morn
ing l was aroused from a deep sleep by Jaco-
pc. Starting up, I inquired what was astir,
and was told that Defaure, the page, was
waiting to see me. gave orders for his in
slant admission, and, on coming in, he in
formed me that his eminence desired my i'm
mediate attendance. Telling Jacopo to have
Castor saddled, for I smelt work afoot, l
flung myself into my clothes and fastened
to D. Amboise.
He had evidently not slept all night, and
was pacing the room in agitation.
est. Dennis!" he burst out, as 1 entered,
edo you know what they have done? The
king holds tourney at Arezzo instead of
marching on at once. What is worse, he has
granted an extension of the truce to Spain,
and Tremouile and the rest of them are off
to the junkets. They are making May-day
with those ducats you captured. By G.!
they would dance away kingdom"
"Your eminence has no doubt sent news
of the capture of Cesare?"
"That was only yesterday, man." he
snapped, land De Briconnet is riding for
his life to the king But it is about this 1
sent for you" he went on, rapidly. ode
Briconnet may come to harm. Here are
other dispatches Take them and follow
him; overtake him if you can. When can
you start?"
Now"
"Good-here are the papers. And this is
his hand-"Monsieur lie Compile"
started little at the last words which
he uttered in French, but had not time to
ask for explanation or make inquiry. hur-
ried to my apartments and found Castor
ready. Bidding Jacopo to follow me to
Arezzo with my men as soon as possible, l
gave Castor the rein and rode out of Rome.
At Citta del Pieve got my first news of De
Briconnet. At Cartona he was but two
| hours ahead of me, and when on the after
noon of the second day I reined in the stag
gering Castor at the gates of the Villa Ac-
| colt, where the king was, saw in the
courtyard dead horse, his sides still bleed
| ing from the spur marks, and judged that De
| Briconnet had barely beaten me by head
| for all his l2 hours start. So once again
had entered the Villa Accolti! And as 1
| sprang to the ground, loosed the girths over
| Castor's heaving TANKS, and resigned the
| reins to a willing groom who led the poor
| beast to rest, all the past came back to me
| with vivid force, and looked around, al
| most expecting to meet again the glances of
scorn and contempt, to hear once more the
Kisses, the mockery, and the foul reproach
| of that day.
The cardinal was right enough when he
| said that high junkets were to be held. And
| the day seemed to be one of merry making.
Flags were flying from all parts of the villa,
and the wide grounds were full of the fol-
lowers of the court, and the townspeople
either watching or engaged in sports of
wrestling, archery and other games.
For the great ones, however, the out-of-
with the dinner hour, and they were now
| disporting themselves within. From the
| open windows strains of music foated out
into the sunlight and gay figures passed and
| repassed, or moved in and out of the bal
cony overhanghg the grand entrance, which
seemed, from the constant movement and
the brilliant dresses of those who crowded
thereon, to be like bed of flowers stirring
| in the wind. AS came below the balcony,
I did not dare to look up, but with my sword
in the loop of my arm and my dispatches
! clenched in my right hand walked up the
| marble steps.
"Post from Rome! Post from the Lord
| CARDINAL"
The sonorous voice of the ushers pealed
this out, and found myself at the entrance
| to the gallery leading to the great hall where
l had been tried.
| "Not here, sir-to the left" Ny way was
barred by an equerry in violet and gold.
"Not so, De Brienne, the king receives
these dispatches in person" and Bayard had
linked his arm in mine.
But, my lord!"
81 take the blame" and Bayard, blazing in
full mail, led me through the gallery, whose
sides were lined with the archers of the
Scottish Guard. Arcbers in name only now,
and, little as my time was, could not for
bear glancing at these fine troops, who, al
though few in number, bore an unequaled
reputation for service in the field. The
doors at the entrance to the hall, which were
guarded by two gigantic men-at-arms were
opened only at fixed intervals to let people