CHAPTER XVI.
FRIEND OR FOE.
For the next few days the routine of my life was exactly the same, themorning attendance at the cardinal's levee, the daily dinner inpublic, and long rides with Castor in the afternoons, in which I wassometimes accompanied by St. Armande; but this was not alwayspossible, as he was closely attached to D'Amboise's person. D'Amboisefrequently asked me to accompany him to the Vatican; but up to now Ihad begged permission to decline his invitation, on the plea that,with the business before me, it would perhaps be well for me tolive as much in retreat as possible. The cardinal said, with thatgood-tempered laugh of his, which entirely belied his astute schemingnature, that as I was as yet ignorant of my task, I need not be socareful. I replied to his eminence, that it was just because I was inthe dark, that I was so circumspect, and he was then good enough toagree with me. I was, however, naturally anxious to see something ofthe Vatican, and one of my reasons for refusing, besides that ofprudence, was that I was not sufficiently well equipped. This,however, with the funds at my disposal, was soon mended, but from somecause or other, I had up to now not gone. Jacopo was not so successfulas he anticipated he would be, in raising his men. It was, above all,necessary to have them trustworthy, and it was difficult to get men ofthis class for a merely temporary employment such as I offered. Atlast the matter was arranged, and by the end of the week I mustered abody of six stout fellows, all of them fairly well mounted, and whatwas better, all of them trained soldiers. I had them lodged near theRipetta, and the cardinal's table afforded them a free dinner, ofwhich they were not slow to take advantage. In order to keep thememployed, I took them out with me every afternoon, dismissing themupon my return, with orders to join the nightly escort of the cardinaland Bayard, to and from the Vatican. I saw a good deal of Bayard, andat times expressed myself with impatience at being kept to cool myheels. He told me he was not at liberty to mention the details of thebusiness on which I was to be employed, and advised me to bide my timewith a patient heart. Amongst other matters we spoke of was the murderof Pierrot, and Bayard told me that Cesare Borgia had left Rome thenext day without seeing his father, the Pope, and that he was crushingout completely the stand made against him by my old chief Vitelli ofCitta del Castello, and others.
I took Bayard's advice and held patience by the tail, although Ilonged for work to begin. My men were in good fettle. They had enoughwork to keep them out of mischief, the pay was good, they hadsufficient leisure for amusement, and there was therefore nogrumbling.
I used to sup alone in my rooms, occasionally asking St. Armande tojoin me; and after supper we diced together for an hour or so, forvery small points. He was an infant at the game, and I taught him agood deal, so much so, that after a little practice, for he was veryquick with his wrist, he mastered my favourite throw, and one eveningafter returning from the Vatican, he knocked me up in my rooms, andflung on the table a bag of gold pieces.
"Three hundred of them, cavaliere!" he said, "I won them from FabrizioColonna, who is looking green with rage. If your purse is runningshort, they are at your service. Ha! I see a flask of Orvieto--may I?"and he poured himself out a goblet, at which he began to sip, inapparent defiance of his vow.
"The devil!" I exclaimed, "but you are flying at high stakes,chevalier. Your Picard estates must be broad. Thanks all the same foryour offer, but my purse is as full as I want it at present."
He leaned back in his chair, with a pink flush on his delicatefeatures.
"I meant no offence, cavaliere; but what is the use of money unlessone can share it with a friend?"
"There was no offence taken, St. Armande," I replied, "and if you willtake none, I would like to have my say at you."
He looped one finger in his golden moustache, and showed his eventeeth in his smile, as he said, "Speak on."
"Then, chevalier, it seems to me a thousand pities that a young manlike you should waste your time here, as you appear to be doing. Iunderstood you to say you had never seen a sword drawn in earnest asyet--and your moustache is grown! Take my advice. Play no more forgold pieces with Colonna or anyone else. Mount your horse, and joinTremouille at once."
"Ah! that is good," he said; "and why does the grave and reverendCavaliere Donati waste his time here, hanging at the heels of achurchman, and moping o' nights like an owl on a ruined wall, insteadof stirring the times himself with the point of his sword?"
With any other I would have been annoyed; with the youth before me Iwas slightly amused, and at the same time a trifle surprised. Hithertohe had appeared so shy and reserved, and now, of a sudden, he hadthrown this off, and had put on an air which I had not noticed before,but which became him vastly. I set it down to the fact that perhaps hewas slightly warmed with wine, having apparently absolved himself fromhis vow; although of course I did not appear to notice this last, ashe was in a manner my guest. I therefore made reply.
"My reasons for my action, chevalier, are good, and when the timecomes I promise you I shall not be found sleeping."
The gentle reproof in my words seemed to bring him back to his oldself, for by the light of the candles I observed him flush scarlet,and that curious look which recalled a strange resemblance to some oneI knew, but could not remember, came over his features. I began torelent as I saw his confusion, almost as soon as I had spoken; andadded, "I may say that the time is not far distant--that it is amatter of days only."
"Take me with you."
He asked this almost in a tone of entreaty, keeping his eyes away fromme, however, and nervously twisting at his moustache.
"And your secretary, as you call him, the abbe?"
"Oh, he will come too, and we could confess to him."
I hesitated for a second, and then made answer.
"Very well. Only you must be prepared to start at a moment's notice,and there will probably be hard riding and hard fighting, and there isyet another thing."
"What is that?"
"You must come as a simple volunteer, and must make no enquiry as towhat the business is on which I am engaged. I risk my life for my ownpurposes; if you wish to do likewise you are welcome to join me, onthe condition I have just stated."
"I accept with pleasure."
"Then that is settled, and I have a new comrade."
"Hurrah!" and he raised his glass to his lips.
After that he retired, it being late. I saw him across the courtyardas far as his apartments, and then returning to my rooms,unconsciously took the chair St. Armande had vacated. The goblet ofwine he had filled was before me, and I idly lifted it in my hand. Itwas barely touched. In fact he could but have tasted a few drops only.
Like lightning a suspicion of treachery came on me. The man had beenpretending to drink. With what object? I could not make out. Was theoffer of the money a blind? Perhaps so, and if then? I had been a foolto agree to his joining me, with that sour-looking abbe of his. Yes, Ihad been a fool, but it was lucky I discovered my own folly in time. Ishould keep my eyes on this silken diplomat, and if necessary pick aquarrel with him, and run him through. Somehow I did not like the ideaof this, however; but determined to get rid of him in one way or theother. I would allow nothing to stand between me and the road back tohonour. So musing I sat for a half-hour or so, and was startled byJacopo's sudden entry, so lost was I in thought. He came and stood,bolt upright, next to my chair, without saying a word. I knew fromthis that he had some request to make, some favour to ask, asotherwise he would not have hesitated to make play with his tongue atonce.
"What is it Jacopo?"
He shifted uneasily from one foot to the other, and then replied--
"Your excellency, I want leave."
"Leave! What for? You are not going to be married, are you?"
"Heaven and the saints forbid, excellency. No--no--it is not that, itis only leave for the day I want, and also for our men."
"The devil! What are you going to do?"
"Only a little dinner, exc
ellency, which I am giving."
"And wasting those crowns you got the other day. Well, that is youraffair, not mine. Yes, you can have the leave."
"A hundred thanks, excellency."
"Mind you, there must be no brawling, no trouble."
"Excellency."
"Well, good night, and remember what I say. Here, you might removethis wine-cup as you go."
"Good-night, signore," and Jacopo, lifting the goblet, went out. Thenight being fairly warm, I kept my door open, and as he passed intothe portico, I saw him drain the contents of the goblet with a gulp,and heard him draw his lips together with a smack of approval, andmarch off to his quarters, chuckling at something or other.
The following afternoon I rode out with Bayard and half-a-dozenothers. It was a hawking party, and there was a long gallop to ourpoint of operation, which was to begin a little way beyond PonteMolle. In a short time we started a noble heron, and Bayard flinginghis peregrine into the air, we rode after the birds. It was a gloriousride, and Castor and Pollux far outstripped the others, so much sothat when we drew rein beside the stricken heron, and Bayard slippedthe hood on to his hawk, our companions were not in sight. This,however, troubled us little, and turning rein we made backwards. Onour way back I seized the opportunity to mention to Bayard that St.Armande had volunteered to aid me in my task, and that I had acceptedhis offer.
"It will do him good," he said; "he seems a noble youth, who has beentied too long to apron-strings."
"Do you think so?" I said; "he strikes me as being effeminate to adegree--and yet I cannot help liking him."
"He has a wonderful pure mind," said Bayard; "the boy, for he is noless, is as innocent as a child."
"The Vatican will not improve him then, especially if he plays forgold crowns with Colonna."
"Plays for gold crowns!" exclaimed Bayard; "you are surely mistaken,cavaliere."
"Did he not do so last night, my lord? I understood he won threehundred off Fabrizio?"
"Impossible," said Bayard, "I was at the Vatican last night, and theparty in which Colonna was playing consisted of Strigonia, MonsignoreFlorido, our Lord the Pope, and Colonna himself--no more. St. Armandewas standing hard at hand for some little time, but never took awager. In fact, he passed most of the evening with Giulia Bella,thrumming on a lute, much to the annoyance of his holiness. I shouldsay it would be well for him to quit Rome."
"Then I am wrong," I said; "yes, I fancy it would be well for him toquit Rome."
By this time the others came up, and we said no more. As we went backto Rome, I dropped a little behind, reflecting on what Bayard had toldme. It was certain that St. Armande had lied to me, and I began tofeel sure he had done this not for my good. In short, it seemed to methat this innocent looking boy, with his shy retiring manners andapparent want of knowledge of the world, was nothing more or less thanan accomplished actor. Then again he was a Frenchman, and how came he,obviously fresh from France, to become an agent of the Mediciplotters, for so I put him down to be? There were the letters fromMadame de la Tremouille, his introductions were unimpeachable, thecardinal believed in him--the whole thing was contradictory. Aboveall, there was my strong personal liking for St. Armande. In hispresence I never felt that secret warning which all men feel when theyare with an enemy. I have never known it fail with me, and with St.Armande there was no such warning, no such silent signal which goesstraight from soul to soul. On the contrary, I felt he was almost morethan friendly towards me, and I felt, in my turn towards him, despiteour short acquaintance, very nearly the same protective feeling thatone has towards a defenceless child. As may be imagined, I was in novery comfortable frame of mind about this, and rode back silently,revolving the point. When we reached the palace, almost the firstperson I met was St. Armande, and as I dismounted he came up to mewith a cordial greeting and asked--
"Well, cavaliere, good sport I trust?"
"Very," I replied shortly, and then looked him straight in the face asI added, "Do you intend to give the Colonna his revenge to-night?"
Something in my tone caught him, he met my eyes for a moment, thendropped his gaze, and looked towards the ground. We stood thus beforeeach other for a little time before he replied, and his voice wasalmost inaudible.
"Perhaps--I am not sure," he added with an effort.
I was standing, holding Castor's reins; but as he spoke I handed thehorse over to a groom, and, linking my arm in St. Armande's, saidloudly, and with a tone of affected gaiety:
"You missed a great ride, chevalier--come take a turn with me in thegarden."
He yielded passively, and in a few steps we had crossed the courtyardand were in a secluded portion of the palace gardens that was calledthe Lemon Walk. This I may add was subsequently improved out ofexistence by the architect, in the course of completion of the palaceand grounds. When we reached this spot I unslipped my arm, and turninground faced St. Armande, having resolved to end my suspicions.
"See here, chevalier," I said, "I am playing for heavy stakes, I amwalking on dangerous ground, and must know where I put my feet; willyou answer a plain question, are you friend or foe?"
He looked round him in a helpless sort of way, his colour coming andgoing, but said nothing. Was it possible the man was a coward?
"If you do not reply," I said, "I will take the risk, and treat you asan enemy, do you hear? you lied to me when you said last night you hadplayed at the Vatican with Colonna--now draw." I pulled out my weapon,and stood before him, expecting every instant to see his rapier in hishands; but he stood absolutely still, his head hanging down.
"Man," I said, "have you not heard? Am I to think you a coward as wellas a liar?"
"How dare you say that!" he burst out. "You--you of all men--Oh! whatam I saying! Yes, I did not play with Colonna; but I thought you werehard pressed for money, and--and invented the fiction, thinking thatperhaps----"
"That perhaps I would accept your winnings over the gambling table,rather than the offer of a friend. You do me much honour, chevalier."
"You wrong me, Savelli,--nay, start not. I know your name and story,and, before heaven, I say I am your friend."
"You know me!"
"Yes, and am working for you; come, put by your sword. Look at me! DoI look like an enemy?"
He had recovered himself, and met my gaze fearlessly. Where could Ihave seen that face before? I drew my hand over my forehead as if tosweep the cobwebs from my memory, but with no avail.
"Well," he went on, with a smile, "do I look like an enemy? If I do,your sword is ready. Strike now, it will be a quick riddance, come!"
I put back my sword with a snap.
"I do not understand, but I accept your explanation."
He held out his hand frankly.
"That is right, and you will still let me be your comrade?"
I took his grasp.
"Yes, if you wish it."
We walked back together in silence, and on reaching the courtyard St.Armande said,
"I am afraid I have fallen much in your esteem."
"My esteem, chevalier, is at present of no value to man or woman."
"Do you think so?" he said, and then rapidly, "Adieu for the present;remember, I hold you to your word that you think me a friend."
I made no answer, and he ran lightly up the steps of the principalentrance.
I supped that evening for a change with the gentlemen of the suite;but St. Armande was not there, and there were a few free remarks madeconcerning the manner in which he was supposed to have been receivedat the Vatican by Giulia Orsini, and Lucrezia Borgia.
"If it goes on like this," said Le Clerc, "we will have to drag theTiber for his body, and say masses for his soul, unless he puts theseas between himself and the Borgia."
"He never struck me as a man to run after the ladies," I said.
"No," replied the abbe, "but it is the other way. You would stand nochance against him, cavalier, for all your long moustache--a thousandthanks," and the genial Le Clerc seized the flagon of
Orvieto I passedto him, and filled his goblet.
After this the conversation changed, and I shortly retired to myapartments, and dismissing my lackey, sat down to read a book onfalconry that the cardinal had lent me. I had not been occupied thusfor an hour when the door opened, and Jacopo cautiously peeped in. Hewithdrew his head on catching my eye, and I heard him shufflingoutside.
"Come in."
"Excellency," and the sound of further shuffling, but no Jacopo. Ilost patience at this, and fearing at the same time that there hadbeen trouble, repeated my order to come in sharply. This had thedesired effect; but as soon as my henchman appeared in view I madecertain there had been a brawl. He was very red in the face, and fromunder the helmet he wore I could see a white bandage.
"What the devil does this mean, Jacopo?" I asked sternly.
"I have come to report, excellency."
"You hardly appear in a fit state to do so."
"Perfectly fit, excellency," and Jacopo drew himself up to attentionand saluted.
"Is the matter of importance? For if not, you had better cometo-morrow."
"Yes, your excellency--matter of importance. By your worship's leave,as you are aware, I gave a dinner to-day, and we had----"
"Never mind what you had; to the point."
"Boiled meat with sause, sausages with garlic, a _risotto allaMilanese_----"
"I do not care what you had, go on fool."
"I am going on, excellency. Where was I--a _risotto_ did I say? Andbread made with yeast. And for drink, signore----"
"I doubt not you had store of that, Jacopo."
"But a dozen flagons or so of wine, your worship--all rosso."
"Jacopo--you will be good enough to retire at once."
"I am retiring, excellency; but my report."
"Will do for to-morrow."
"As your worship desires; but we have burnt the inn."
"What!"
"The inn, where we rested the day of our arrival in Rome, yourworship. What with one thing and another, the landlord footed up hisbill to four crowns. And I said to my friends, 'What! Are honestsoldiers to pay like this?' Whereat there was trouble, excellency; butwe came off best."
I rose without a word, and seizing Jacopo by the neck, ejected himfrom the room, with, I am sorry to say, very considerable violence.
Cursing myself for my folly in having been so generous, I banged thedoor after him, and returned to my book. I could not, however, read,for my mind was full of the consequences that might arise from thismad freak of my followers, and I determined to seek out the cardinalthe next day, and obtain his permission to move out of Rome to somequieter spot, and there await his instructions. Amidst it all,however, I could not help being pleased at the thought thatretributive justice had overtaken the scoundrel tavern-keeper, thememory of whose bed made me shudder. I had no doubt that Jacopo wasspeaking the truth, and that, even as he spoke, the flames weresputtering merrily above that den of thieves.
The Honour of Savelli: A Romance Page 17