"Because I give him what he asks as the price of it, Bena," answered Antonio; and they rode on for a while. But when Bena saw that Antonio turned his horse not towards Rilano, but directly across the plain towards Firmola, he said, "My lord, whither are we riding?" "We are riding to the city, Bena," answered Antonio. "There is no cause for fear; we go by leave and on the invitation of His Highness." "But will he let us go again?" asked Bena. "You will be free to go when you will," answered Antonio, "and me the Duke will himself send forth from the city when I am ready to go." For Lorenzo had promised in the Duke's name that Antonio's body, after it had hung three days on the gibbet, should be carried from the city to the church of St. Prisian at Rilano, and there interred with fitting ceremony. "Yet I do not like this ride of ours," grumbled Bena. "Nay, I like it not myself," said Antonio, smiling. "But for the good of my cousin and of all our company, we must go forward." And he stopped for a moment and added, "Swear to me, Bena, by St. Prisian, to obey in all I bid you in the city to-day, and not to draw your sword unless I draw mine." "Do I not always obey you, my lord?" asked Bena. "But swear to me." "Well, then, I swear," said Bena, "though in truth, my lord, your word is full as strong to me as any oath, whether by Prisian or another." For this man whom they called Bena was a godless man, and one that held holy things in light esteem. But he was a fine fighter and a loyal servant, and God's mercy is infinite. It may be his heart was turned at last; though indeed I have found no record of it. "My lord, will you see my Lady Lucia in the city?" asked Bena. "I trust at the least to see her face at her window," answered Antonio. "Will you have speech with her, my lord?" "If His Highness will grant me that favour, Bena." "Ah, I know now why you smiled, my lord, as you rode, just now. It will be a bright day for you." And Bena laughed. "Indeed," said Antonio, "I trust that the day may be bright for me. Yes, bright as the light of heaven." "There is no light brighter than the eyes of the girl a man loves," said Bena. "Yes, there is one," said Antonio. But Bena did not understand his meaning. Thus they rode till it wanted only two hours of noon; and then they were within five miles of the city, and Bena, looking, beheld the great gibbet rising above the walls of the city and standing forth grim and black in front of the marble face of the Cathedral. "What is that, my lord," he cried, "which towers above the walls of the city?" "Is it not enough to know when we come there?" answered Antonio.