CHAPTER I. PAGLIANO
The lilac was in bloom when we came to the grey walls of Pagliano inthat May of '45, and its scent, arousing the memory of my return to theworld, has ever since been to me symbolical of the world itself.
Mine was no half-hearted, backward-glancing return. Having determinedupon the step, I took it resolutely and completely at a single stride.Since Galeotto placed his resources at my disposal, to be repaid himlater when I should have entered upon the enjoyment of my heritage ofMondolfo, I did not scruple to draw upon them for my needs.
I accepted the fine linen and noble raiment that he offered, and I tookpleasure in the brave appearance that I made in them, my face shornnow of its beard and my hair trimmed to a proper length. Similarly Iaccepted weapons, money, and a horse; and thus equipped, looking for thefirst time in my life like a patrician of my own lofty station, I rodeforth from Monte Orsaro with Galeotto and Gervasio, attended by theformer's troop of twenty lances.
And from the moment of our setting out there came upon me a curiouspeace, a happiness and a great sense of expectancy. No longer wasI oppressed by the fear of proving unworthy of the life which I hadchosen--as had been the case when that life had been monastic.
Galeotto was in high spirits to see me so blithe, and he surveyed withpride the figure that I made, vowing that I should prove a worthy son ofmy father ere all was done.
The first act of my new life was performed as we were passing throughthe village of Pojetta.
I called a halt before the doors of that mean hostelry, over which hungwhat no doubt would still be the same withered bunch of rosemary thathad been there in autumn when last I went that way.
To the sloe-eyed, deep-bosomed girl who lounged against the door-post tosee so fine a company ride by, I gave an order to fetch the taverner.He came with a slouch, a bent back, and humble, timid eyes--a verydifferent attitude from that which he had last adopted towards me.
"Where is my mule, you rogue?" quoth I.
He looked at me askance. "Your mule, magnificent? said he.
"You have forgotten me, I think--forgotten the lad in rusty black whorode this way last autumn and whom you robbed."
At the words be turned a sickly yellow, and fell to trembling andbabbling protestations and excuses.
"Have done," I broke in. "You would not buy the mule then. You shall buyit now, and pay for it with interest."
"What is this, Agostino?" quoth Galeotto at my elbow. "An act ofjustice, sir," I answered shortly, whereupon he questioned me nofurther, but looked on with a grim smile. Then to the taverner, "Yourmanners to-day are not quite the same as on the last occasion when wemet. I spare you the gallows that you may live to profit by the lessonof your present near escape. And now, rogue, ten ducats for that mule."And I held out my hand.
"Ten ducats!" he cried, and gathering courage perhaps since he was notto hang. "It is twice the value of the beast," he protested.
"I know," I said. "It will be five ducats for the mule, and five foryour life. I am merciful to rate the latter as cheaply as it deserves.Come, thief, the ten ducats without more ado, or I'll burn your nest ofinfamy and hang you above the ruins."
He cowered and shrivelled. Then he scuttled within doors to fetch themoney, whilst Galeotto laughed deep in his throat.
"You are well-advised," said I, when the rogue returned and handed methe ducats. "I told you I should come back to present my reckoning. Bewarned by this."
As we rode on Galeotto laughed again. "Body of Satan! There is athoroughness about you, Agustino. As a hermit you did not spareyourself; and now as a tyrant you do not seem likely to spare others."
"It is the Anguissola way," said Gervasio quietly.
"You mistake," said I. "I conceive myself in the world for some goodpurpose, and the act you have witnessed is a part of it. It was not arevengeful deed. Vengeance would have taken a harsher course. It wasjustice, and justice is righteous."
"Particularly a justice that puts ten ducats in your pocket," laughedGaleotto.
"There, again, you mistake me," said I. "My aim is that thieves bemulcted to the end that the poor shall profit." And I drew rein again.
A little crowd had gathered about us, mostly of very ragged, half-cladpeople, for this village of Pojetta was a very poverty-stricken place.Into that little crowd I flung the ten ducats--with the consequencethat on the instant it became a seething, howling, snarling, quarrellingmass. In the twinkling of an eye a couple of heads were cracked andblood was flowing, so that to quell the riot my charity had provoked, Iwas forced to spur my horse forward and bid them with threats disperse.
"And I think now," said Galeotto when it was done, "that you are just asreckless in the manner of doing charity. For the future, Agostino, youwould do well to appoint an almoner."
I bit my lip in vexation; but soon I smiled again. Were such littlethings to fret me? Did we not ride to Pagliano and to Bianca de'Cavalcanti? At the very thought my pulses would quicken, and a sweetnessof anticipation would invade my soul, to be clouded at moments by anindefinable dread.
And thus we came to Pagliano in that month of May, when the lilac was inbloom, as I have said, and after Fra Gervasio had left us, to return tohis convent at Piacenza.
We were received in the courtyard of that mighty fortress by thatsturdy, hawk-faced man who had recognized me in the hermitage on MonteOrsaro. But he was no longer in armour. He wore a surcoat of yellowvelvet, and his eyes were very kindly and affectionate when they restedon Galeotto and from Galeotto passed on to take survey of me.
"So this is our hermit!" quoth he, a note of some surprise in his crisptones. "Somewhat changed!"
"By a change that goes deeper than his pretty doublet," said Galeotto.
We dismounted, and grooms, in the Cavalcanti livery of scarlet withthe horse-head in white upon their breasts, led away our horses. Theseneschal acted as quarter-master to our lances, whilst Cavalcantihimself led us up the great stone staircase with its carved balustradeof marble, from which rose a file of pillars to support the groinedceiling. This last was frescoed in dull red with the white horse-headat intervals. On our right, on every third step, stood orange-trees intubs, all flowering and shedding the most fragrant perfume.
Thus we ascended to a spacious gallery, and through a succession ofmagnificent rooms we came to the noble apartments that had been madeready for us.
A couple of pages came to tend me, bringing perfumed water and maceratedherbs for my ablutions. These performed, they helped me into freshgarments that awaited me--black hose of finest silk and velvet trunksof the same sable hue, and for my body a fine close-fitting doublet ofcloth of gold, caught at the waist by a jewelled girdle from which hunga dagger that was the merest toy.
When I was ready they went before me, to lead the way to what theycalled the private dining-room, where supper awaited us. At the verymention of a private dining-room I had a vision of whitewashed walls andhigh-set windows and a floor strewn with rushes. Instead we came intothe most beautiful chamber that I had ever seen. From floor to ceilingit was hung with arras of purple brocade alternating with cloth of gold;thus on three sides. On the fourth there was an opening for the embayedwindow which glowed like a gigantic sapphire in the deepening twilight.
The floor was spread with a carpet of the ruddy purple of porphyry, verysoft and silent to the feet. From the frescoed ceiling, where a joyousPhoebus drove a team of spirited white stallions, hung a chain thatwas carved in the semblance of interlocked Titans to support a greatcandelabrum, each branch of which was in the image of a Titan holdinga stout candle of scented wax. It was all in gilded bronze and theworkmanship--as I was presently to learn--of that great artist and rogueBenvenuto Cellini. From this candelabrum there fell upon the board asoft golden radiance that struck bright gleams from crystals and plateof gold and silver.
By a buffet laden with meats stood the master of the household in blackvelvet, his chain of office richly carved, his badge a horse's head insilver, and he was flanked on either
hand by a nimble-looking page.
Of all this my first glance gathered but the most fleeting ofimpressions. For my eyes were instantly arrested by her who stoodbetween Cavalcanti and Galeotto, awaiting my arrival. And, miracle ofmiracles, she was arrayed exactly as I had seen her in my vision.
Her supple maiden body was sheathed in a gown of cloth of silver; herbrown hair was dressed into two plaits interlaced with gold threads andset with tiny gems, and these plaits hung one on either breast. Upon thelow, white brow a single jewel gleamed--a brilliant of the very whitestfire.
Her long blue eyes were raised to look at me as I entered, and theirglance grew startled when it encountered mine, the delicate colourfaded gradually from her cheeks, and her eyes fell at last as she movedforward to bid me welcome to Pagliano in her own name.
They must have perceived her emotion as they perceived mine. But theygave no sign. We got to the round table--myself upon Cavalcanti's left,Galeotto in the place of honour, and Bianca facing her father so that Iwas on her right.
The seneschal bestirred himself, and the silken ministering pagesfluttered round us. My Lord of Pagliano was one who kept a table asluxurious as all else in his splendid palace. First came a broth of vealin silver basins, then a stew of cocks' combs and capons' breasts, thenthe ham of a roasted boar, the flesh very lusciously saturated with theflavour of rosemary; and there was venison that was as soft as velvet,and other things that I no longer call to mind. And to drink there was afragrant, well-sunned wine of Lombardy that had been cooled in snow.
Galeotto ate enormously, Cavalcanti daintily, I but little, and Biancanothing. Her presence had set up such emotions in me that I had nothought for food. But I drank deeply, and so came presently to aspurious ease which enabled me to take my share in the talk thatwas toward, though when all is said it was but a slight share, sinceCavalcanti and Galeotto discoursed of matters wherein my knowledge wasnot sufficient to enable me to bear a conspicuous part.
More than once I was on the point of addressing Bianca herself, butalways courage failed me. I had ever in mind the memory she must have ofme as she had last seen me, to increase the painful diffidence which herpresence itself imposed upon me. Nor did I hear her voice more than onceor twice when she demurely answered such questions as her father sether. And though once or twice I found her stealing a look at me, shewould instantly avert her eyes when our glances crossed.
Thus was our first meeting, and for a little time it was to be our last,because I lacked the courage to seek her out. She had her own apartmentsat Pagliano with her own maids of honour, like a princess; and thecastle garden was entirely her domain into which even her father seldomintruded. He gave me the freedom of it; but it was a freedom of which Inever took advantage in the week that we abode there. Several timeswas I on the point of doing so. But I was ever restrained by myunconquerable diffidence.
And there was something else to impose restraint upon me. Hitherto thememory of Giuliana had come to haunt me in my hermitage, by arousing inme yearnings which I had to combat with fasting and prayer, with scourgeand dice. Now the memory of her haunted me again; but in a vastlydifferent way. It haunted me with the reminder of all the sin in whichthrough her I had steeped myself; and just as the memory of that sin hadmade me in purer moments deem myself unworthy to be the guardian ofthe shrine on Monte Orsaro, so now did it cause me to deem myselfall unworthy to enter the garden that enshrined Madonna Bianca de'Cavalcanti.
Before the purity that shone from her I recoiled in an awe whose naturewas as the feelings of a religion. I felt that to seek her presencewould be almost to defile her. And so I abstained, my mind very fullof her the while, for all that the time was beguiled for me in dailyexercise with horse and arms under the guidance of Galeotto.
I was not so tutored merely for the sake of repairing a grave omissionin my education. It had a definite scope, as Galeotto frankly told me,informing me that the time approached in which to avenge my father andstrike a blow for my own rights.
And then at the end of a week a man rode into the courtyard of Paglianoone day, and flung down from his horse shouting to be led to MesserGaleotto. There was something about this courier's mien and person thatawoke a poignant memory. I was walking in the gallery when the clatterof his advent drew my attention, and his voice sent a strange thrillthrough me.
One glance I gave to make quite sure, and then I leapt down the broadsteps four at a time, and a moment later, to the amazement of allpresent, I had caught the dusty rider in my arms, and I was kissing thewrinkled, scarred, and leathery old cheeks.
"Falcone!" I cried. "Falcone, do you not know me?"
He was startled by the violence of my passionate onslaught. Indeed, hewas almost borne to the ground by it, for his old legs were stiff nowfrom riding.
And then--how he stared! What oaths he swore!
"Madonnino!" he babbled. "Madonnino!" And he shook himself free of myembrace, and stood back that he might view me. "Body of Satan! But youare finely grown, and how like to what your father was when he was noolder than are you! And they have not made a shaveling of you, afterall. Now blessed be God for that!" Then he stopped short, and his eyeswent past me, and he seemed to hesitate.
I turned, and there, leaning on the balustrade of the staircase, lookingon with smiling eyes stood Galeotto with Messer Cavalcanti at his elbow.
I heard Galeotto's words to the Lord of Pagliano. "His heart issound--which is a miracle. That woman, it seems, could not quitedehumanize him." And he came down heavily, to ask Falcone what news hebore.
The old equerry drew a letter from under his leathern jacket.
"From Ferrante?" quoth the Lord of Pagliano eagerly, peering overGaleotto's shoulder.
"Ay," said Galeotto, and he broke the seal. He stood to read, withknitted brows. "It is well," he said, at last, and passed the sheet toCavalcanti. "Farnese is in Piacenza already, and the Pope will sway theCollege to give his bastard the ducal crown. It is time we stirred."
He turned to Falcone, whilst Cavalcanti read the letter. "Take food andrest, good Gino. For to-morrow you ride again with me. And so shall you,Agostino."
"I ride again?" I echoed, my heart sinking and some of my dismay showingupon my face. "Whither?"
"To right the wrongs of Mondolfo," he answered shortly, and turned away.