The Honour of Savelli: A Romance
and went at them at once--and your excellency knows the rest. I think
however I touched one--see there!"
He held the point of his blade to the light, and placed the end of his
finger on a stain on the sword.
"Three inches at least," he exclaimed, and with a satisfied air,
stooped down to clean his finger on the straw at his feet. I thanked
the good fellow for his zeal and the fidelity he had shown.
"As for that, excellency," he said, "there is no need to praise me,
for I expect to be made a cavaliere when your worship wins back the
lordships of the Savelli!"
"You are brave enough for a cavaliere," I laughed, "the point however
for you at present is sleep. Go up to my room and get what you can. I
have done for to-night, and will watch the horses. It was after them
that our visitors came."
But to this he would not consent on any account, nor was I so anxious
to go back to that bed, so bringing down the light from above, we
passed the rest of the night close to the horses. In the intervals of
dozing Jacopo related to me, twice over, in the minutest detail, the
story of the hanging of the two old men and six old women which he had
seen at Tor di Nona, and finally sank off into sleep. I did not make
any attempt to arouse him, and kept on the watch myself until the
lanthorn burned with a sickly glare, and the crowing of a cock told us
the morning was begun. In a few minutes it was light enough to see,
and Jacopo rising, shook himself like a dog, and stepping up to the
lanthorn extinguished it; after which, with much whistling, he set
himself to water the animals, give them their morning feed, and groom
them.
Leaving him thus engaged, I strolled out into the courtyard, where
there was already a figure or two moving, and stepping through a gap
in the ruined wall, climbed up a portion of the slope of Monte Pincio,
following a narrow lane, on each side of which was a half-deserted
garden, and bending my steps to where, from amidst a clump of trees, I
could hear the song of a _caponera d'edera_ or blackcap, who was in
full tune. Attracted by the music of the bird, I went on until I heard
the plashing of water, and found myself at the basin of a deserted
fountain, which was hemmed in with vines and creepers, and from which
a thin stream of water was pouring, and bubbling down the hillside in
the direction of S. Trinita di Monte. The basin was made of grey
stone, cracked with age in many places, and from these fissures
sprouted masses of white serpyllum, the flowers in full bloom. In the
centre of the basin was a much damaged figure of Ceres, and from her
horn a stream of water fell with a melodious splashing, which, mingled
with the song of the bird, had a pleasing effect upon my ear. I took
advantage of the solitude of the spot to enjoy the luxury of a bath,
and when I had dressed again, climbed a few feet higher, and facing
round ran my eye idly over the view. Through the grey mist rising over
the houses and vineyards, the Tiber lay, like a yellow snake at rest;
one could see no motion of the waters. Near the Ripetta, long spirals
of dark smoke curling up to the sky marked the quarters of the
charcoal-burners, and the sunrise, which was behind me, cast a glory
on the colossal statue of the archangel Michael, where it stood on the
gloomy keep of St. Angelo, like a triumphant god alighting upon earth.
A dark rolling mist, bright at the top with the sunlight, blue-grey
beneath, covered the city below me; but I could make out the octagonal
dome of the hospital of San Spirito, the vast walls of the Vatican,
then in course of construction, and the dark stretch of cork trees
that filled the Valle dell' Inferno, beyond the Vatican hill. Monte
Mario was all alight, and I could distinctly make out the Villa
Mellini on its summit. There were landmarks that even a stranger, such
as myself, who had the barest knowledge of the place, could not miss;
and as I watched the heaving mist below me, I saw a sudden flash from
the bastion of St. Angelo, and a moment after the boom of the morning
gun reached my ears. I did not wait to observe more of the scene, but
retraced my steps to the albergo, where I found that Jacopo had
ordered a little table to be put out into the portico, and on this my
breakfast was set. As I attacked this, Jacopo asked the order of the
day, and I informed him that when he had breakfasted we should settle
with the host and seek other lodgings, after I had attended to the
business I had with Monsignore d'Amboise.
My henchman was also anxious to know if I meant to take any steps with
regard to the attempt at robbery last night. I was well enough
inclined, but determined to let the matter rest until my business was
done, and for the present said I would remain content with the
satisfaction that we had saved our steeds and throats. By the time I
finished breakfast, Jacopo, who had already taken a meal, had saddled
the horses, and was holding them ready for our departure. I summoned
mine host, but at first could obtain no view of him. Finally on my
threat to depart without settling my score, he appeared with his arm
bound up in a sling. As he was unwounded the evening before, I made no
doubt but that he was one of the two who had visited us last night,
but said nothing, merely remarking, as I paid my account, that the
love of horseflesh frequently brought people into trouble. He did not
seem to appreciate the remark, and scowled at me, at which I bade him
begone, and to thank his stars that his house was not pulled about his
ears. He did not attempt any reply, but slunk off, and inwardly
resolving to clear out this nest of scorpions from Rome at the first
chance, I rode out of the gate, followed by Jacopo, and we directed
our way towards the Ponte S. Angelo. I had not the least idea where
his eminence of Rouen was staying; but made certain it would be
somewhere in the Borgo, and that once I had reached the papal quarter,
I should find no difficulty in my search for D'Amboise, and in
delivering to him Machiavelli's letter.
As I went on, I began to feel nervous in spite of myself, as to what
the results of my interview with the cardinal would be, and whether it
would end in the further employment, which the Secretary had
distinctly said it would. I had no reason to doubt, however, and it
was with a hopeful mind that I trotted up the Lungo Tavere, and was
brought to a halt by a gruesome spectacle at Tor di Nona. There was a
crowd assembled, watching an execution, and Jacopo, sidling up to me,
remarked as he pointed to a body swinging in the air--
"What room there would be for Messer Braccio Fortebraccio here,
signore--see that pear, of the kind he loves, growing there? _Barta!_
But there is another one----" and, even as he spoke, another wretch
was hoisted into the air, and then another and another. I did not stop
to look; but Jacopo stayed behind, overtaking me at a gallop as I
reached the Piazza di S. Angelo.
"It is the doctor of St. John's on the Lateran, and three of his
bravos, signore. It is said he was accustomed to spend his evenings in
cutting purses and throats; but, as ill luck would have it, meddled
with one of Giulia Bella's friends, and no money could buy an
indulgence for that."
"If true he is well served, and there are others of his kidney whom we
could spare with equal pleasure."
"Mine host of our inn, excellency, for instance. But the gibbet at Tor
di Nona does not always bear fruit like this. I mind early one----"
At this moment, however, I set spurs to my horse and lost the rest,
being afraid that Jacopo intended to retail to me the story of the old
men and women who had been hanged as a morning's diversion by Cesare
Borgia, and as he had twice delivered himself of this to me as we sat
up last night, I was in no mood to hear it again for the third time.
Near the statues of Peter and Paul, on the bridge, was a guard-house,
occupied at the time by a detachment of Spanish infantry, and to these
men I addressed myself, inquiring where the cardinal of Rouen was
staying. I was told, at once, that his eminence was lodging in the new
palace of Cardinal Corneto, opposite the Scorsa Cavalli, and that my
best way was to turn to the left on crossing the bridge, and then to
the right at the junction of the Borgo San Spirito and the Borgo San
Michele.
Bestowing my thanks and a largesse on the men for their kindness, I
went on at a gallop, congratulating myself on the ease with which the
difficulty was solved, and in a few minutes had crossed the Piazza
Scorsa Cavalli, and was before the residence of the cardinal. At the
time I speak of, it was not quite finished, but still habitable, and
had been rented by Monsignore d'Amboise, as being conveniently near
the Vatican.
On entering the courtyard, I dismounted, and giving my horse to Jacopo
to hold, ascended the steps, and boldly announced myself as an urgent
messenger who had business with his eminence. I was ushered by a page
into a reception room, and early as the hour was, there were a
considerable number of people already in attendance, awaiting the
morning levee. Here I was left to cool my heels for a little time, the
spruce page informing me that the cardinal was engaged at breakfast,
but that he would tell him of my coming, and asked my name. I
hesitated for a moment, but decided to keep the name of Donati which I
had assumed, and gave that, adding that I was the bearer of an urgent
despatch to the cardinal, which I must deliver with my own hands. The
young man then left me, as I have said, and taking a good position
near the entrance door to the adjoining room, I leaned back against
the wall, and awaited my summons. The reception room was of noble
proportions, oblong in shape, the ceiling being supported by two
pillars of veined marble, which, although they diminished the size of
the chamber, had a good effect. The marble flooring, arranged in a
patchwork of black and white, was bare of all furniture, and as the
room gradually filled, the constant moving of feet, the sound of which
rang sharply on the stone, made it appear as if a lot of masons'
hammers were at work. I let my eyes wander over the groups as they
stood or moved about, wondering, if by chance I should see anyone I
knew; but they were all strangers to me, mostly Frenchmen, with a fair
sprinkling of priests amongst them. They were one and all trying to
jostle past each other, so as to gain as close a position as possible
to the entrance door, near to which I stood; and as I watched this
with some little amusement, I heard a whisper in my ear, and glancing
round beheld a man standing near me in a doctor's robe, holding a
heavily bound missal in his hand. I saw in a moment it was Corte, and
he whispered in a low voice:
"Well met again, signore, remember your promise."
"I do, and the promise I made to the juggler will not be forgotten to
the doctor. Is it wise, however, if you wish to remain unknown, for us
to be seen speaking here?"
"Not very, but I wanted a word with you. Do not look round at present,
but near the pillar to your right are two men, one dressed half in
cloth of gold, and they are more interested in you than you think. I
overheard a snatch of conversation--they are moving this way. By your
leave, signore," raising his voice, he attempted to push by me, and
catching the hint his last words had thrown out, I answered loudly,
"First come, first served, learned doctor, and you must bide your
turn."
"I am a man of peace, and therefore yield." Corte moved off, and I was
free to look around me. I saw that Corte's little piece of acting, to
which I had risen, was due to the fact that the man in the cloth of
gold and his companion were edging nearer to us, and at the time were