The Winslow mail., 1900-03-15
md amongst them was Macbiavelli who

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 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
ing them, and yielding to sudden impulse
[ 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 17lyi my failure @
beard to eroyy again and 0,Alegres vvithout
IL
QOuDu IcCOsuuo1 MOI IHoIo HHD DOUC CT
cuse perhaps for him; but none L 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 hand gallop, notwith-
standing the pavement, and luckily doing
no injury 10 any Of the passers-by or to him,
pulled up in few minutes at the door of
my ordinary. Here, although l tried to eat,
| was so angry that l could only triAe 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, L purchased a bottle of
Chianti, together with roast fowl and
loaf of white bread, and these | 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 swordbelt 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. Ipulled up therefore at the side of the
road, and dismounting, led my horse up
and down. 1t was whilst thus engaged that
| noticed priest, mounted on a smart cob,
trotting in the direction Of the gate, and
knowing that a misfortune and a fr;ar are
seldom apart, observed him narrowly as
he passed. He drew his cowl, however, over
his face, so that could make nothing of
him; but, on reaching the gate, he stopped
to 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 it was enough to enable me to see it
was the library scribe, old Ceci's nephew:
and | augured no good from this, resolving
nevertheless to be on my guard more than
ever. The pretended priest received an
answer to his inquiry, and, giving his bene-
diction, in true sacredotal manner, rode off
hat clO,voI bic la1 II i1ror,
stool had not interfered with his seat in
the saddle. 1t was now fully the half hour,
and yet Jacopo did not come. l waited un-
til the gong struck six, and was just about
to ride off, leaving a message with the guard,
when | saw him approaching.
"Make haste" I cried, as l mounted; ;
"you are late"
Pardon, excellency! But the lady was
not there. l had to waS full hour be-
fore she came back from riding, and Gen.
d'Alegres was with her."
''Did you give the packet?"
81 did, excellency. rode up, asked who
Lady Angola was, and presented the
packet, saying it was from Cavaliere di Sa-
velli, my MASTER
'fOh, glorious fool! Did l not tell you
my name was Donati? Did l not tell you
to say nothing but merely give the packet
into the lady's hands?"
"Body o me, excellencyi But there were
SO many about, my wits almost went a
wool gathering. gave madame the packet,
however, and she took it."
"Said anything?"
Nothing, eXcellency-neyer a word"
There was no use crying over split milk,
and cursing Jacopo in my heart for mud
dle-headed fool, we started off. On reach
ing the sentry, | thought | might as well
try and find out what the sham friar was
looking for. The man raised his hand in
salute as l came up, and llinging him crown
/ bade him drink to the health of the Sig
nory Herewith.
Marry. l will with pleasure, and yours,
too, cxcellcncy," he said, as he poclleted the
money, evidently stirred by the amount.
Instead of mine, drink to the health Of
my good friend, the monk, who has just
gone OIL. Can you tell me if he inquired for
anyone here?"
relied on the simplicity of the man, and
on taking him by surprise with the ques-
ton, and as it happened | hit my mark
"In truth, excellency, the reverend fa-
ther inquired about a party of five horse
men, who took tn, road to Leghorn about
four o'clock this afternoon. He doubted
much if he could overtaze them ere night
fall, he said, and would have to ride hard"
l poised another crown on my fingers, alb
sently. "Do you know any of the party
who went ahead?'
''No, excellency; but their leader was an
old man with long white beard, and
think | heard him addressed as Ceci. Ex-
cellency, the wine will flow to-night-a hun
dred thanks"
l dropped the crown into his palm, mov-
ing him to his closing words.
"Come on, Jacopo. Il grows late" and,
setting spurs to our horses, we rode at q
gallop.
CHAPTER XII.