The Winslow mail., 1900-02-15
CHAPTER VII.
THE GARDEN OF ST. MICHAEL.

On our way back Ceci was somewhat sepa-
rated from me, whether by accident or de-
sign, / cannot say. / did not quite regret
this, as L had made up my mind to see as
little as possible of him for the future, think
ing he had repaid himself for his kindness,
by the proposals he had made to me. In
deed, j may say | never sought his society,
although, until he showed his hand, his visits
and conversation gave me some pleasure, for,
notwithstanding his position, he was we'll
informed man, who, in the earlier part of
his life, must have seen better days, and per-
haps hoped to see them again, if his plot
succeeded. The words he had let drop, to
the effect that the Medici would come back,
had given me hint as to what that plot
was. 1t was evident that my old friend was
an active member of the Bigi, or Grey Party,
in Florence, that were then working secretly
for the restoration of Lorenzos sons. 1t
seemed clear, too, that the attempt to be
made was to be directed against some very
eminent member of the state-perhaps the
GOnfaloniere himself, and | began. to. won
der if it was not my duty to lay the infor-
1nation l had before the Signory. l could
not, however, reconcile this with my PROM
ise of silence, and therefore my tongue was
tied. Still | could not sit tamely by, and
see man murdered in cold blood, and de-
cided, therefore, to remain In Florence
somehow, and if possible avert the crime,
although it would interfere, no doubt, with
my own business. But one cannot always be
thinking of ones self Perhaps also, though
not quite conscious of it then, l had some
idea of again meeting the unknown lady of
the gala procession, in whom, In spite OF my
self, L felt / was taking too great in
terest.
During the night l had but little sleep,
for the affair of the mad partisan of the
Medici, and the declaration of war, had
reused the citizens to fever heat, and all
night long crowds thronged the streets,
their hoaIse shouts of "Popolol Popolol"
mingling with the incessant changing of the
war-bell, which itself was loud enough to
wake the dead. The next day, however, l
resolved to take the bull by the horns, and
with view to fill my purse, determined to
present myself before La Palsse, and offer
him my sword. l sailed out, therefore, find
ing the streets fairly empty, the all-night in
dignation meeting of the Florentines having
wearicd them little. Still, however, there
were knots of people here and there. all in a
more or less excited condition. | was in no
particular hurry, and, taking lesson from
the snail, went at leisurely pace, and event
ually reached the headquarters of La Palisse,
which were in the Medicean palace, in the
Via Larga. The courtyard and entrance
hall were full of soldiers, and evidently
active preparations for the campaign were in
progress, for there was e continuous stream
OF people going in and out. No one took any
notice of me, and holding up my cap in one
hand, and Strengthening the feather on it
with the fingers OF the other, | advanced un-
questioned through the crowded rooms. In
this manner l proceeded until l came to
gallery, ON one flank of which there was
series of windows overlooking the street,
at the END of the gallery hung a purple cur
tain, covering, as it happened, an open door.
On the curtain Itself was embroidered a
crimson shield, bearing the pale of the
Medici. Before this L was stopped by a
young officer, who asked me my business,
and replied it was with La Palisse himself
IMPOSSIBLE he replied; "yOu cannot
see the general"
Why not, signore?"
"Tush, mani You look old enough to un-
derstand that orders are orders"
"What IS it, De Brienne?" q sharp voice
called out from within The officer lifted
the curtain, and went inside. was deter
mined to gain an interview with the great
man, and had therefore said my business
was of Importance. The leanness of my
purse was my excuse for the subterfuge,
which | subsequently regretted, as will be
seen further on Shortly after De Brienr
came out. ''Well, meser-meser-"
"Donati," | said.
"Well, Donati, the general will see you
You may enter
accordingly did SO, and found myself in
the presence OF q short, thick-set man, seat
cd at a table, on which was spread a map,
over which he was looking intently In n
corner of the room lay his helmet and sword,
and he himself was in half-mail, wearing
Ailanese corselet, on which was emblazoned
the red dragon of his house. As his head
was bent over the paper, l could not at first
make out his features, and remained stand
ing patiently. Suddenly he lifted his face,
and looked at me with quick ''Well-your
business, sir?''
l was accustomed to strange sights, but
for the moment was startled, so horribly dis
figured was the man. The sight of one eve
was completely gone, and half his face
looked as if a red-hot gridiron had been
pressed against it. The other eye was intact.
and twinkled ferociously under its bushy
gray eyebrow. | recovered myself quickly,
and made my request in as few words as pos
sible. He became enraged as | finished.
"Bah!" he said, Il thought your business
was of importance. can do nothing for
you, my list is full. You have gained admis-
sion to me under a pretense-go!" and he
resumed his study of the map. | would
have urged the matter, but all my pride was
aroused at his words, and so, with a short
good day, turned on my heel and walked
out. Passing through the gallery, saw De
Iirienne, leaning against an open window
talking to another young officer. They both
looked at ne, and burst into loud laugh.
At any other time might have treated this
with contempt, lut / was sore all over at my
reception, and approaching the two said:
"You seem amused, gentlemen-it is not
well to laugh at Distress
They stopped their laughter, staring
hauShtily at me, and De Brienne said:
Your way, signore, lies before you," and
he pointed down the corridor.
Perhaps the SIgnor de Brienne would
care to accompany me unless" and looked
him steadily in the face.
''Unless what?' De Brienne flushed an
grily.
At this moment we heard hasty foot
step on the marble floor, and La Palsse ad-
vanced Still here" he said to me; did
not tell you to begone?"
MY business is with the Signor de Bri-
enne," l replied, stiily, for my blood was
hot within me.
Il am quite prepared" began De Brienne,
but the iree-captain interposed.
Not in the least. | cannot allow my Off
GERS to go fighting with every croque-mort
who comes here with long sword and ly-