Then Bena sighed, and said to Antonio, "I find it in my heart, my lord, to be half sorry that the Duke pardons us; for we lived a fine merry life in the hills. Yet it will be pleasant to live at ease: and we have adventures enough to tell our sweethearts, aye, and our children too, when we grow old, and they come round us and ask us for stories of our youth. I hope my boys will be good at a fight, my lord, and serve your sons as I have served you." "It may be God's will that I leave no sons to bear my name, Bena." "I do not think that," said Bena with a laugh. They were now passing the hill on which stood the blackened walls of Antonio's house, which Duke Valentine had burnt. Bena cried out at the sight. "You will need to spend much in rebuilding it," said he. "Perhaps His Highness has provided another dwelling for me," said Antonio. "To-night he will surely lodge you, my lord, in his own palace, or, may be, with my Lord Lorenzo." "Wherever it may be, I shall sleep soundly," said Antonio. Now they were come near to the city, and they saw a body of pikemen coming out to meet them, the Lieutenant of the Guard at the head. And when they met, the Lieutenant bowed to Antonio, who greeted him most courteously; and the pikemen spread themselves in front and behind and on both sides of Antonio and Bena, and thus they went on towards the bridge and the city gate. But Bena eyed the pikemen with no love, and moved restlessly in his saddle. "These fellows," said he to Antonio, "hem us in, my lord. Shall I make my horse threaten their toes a little, so that they may give us more room?" "Let them be," said Antonio. "It is not for long, Bena." At the entrance of the gate stood Lorenzo, awaiting the Count, and there they dismounted, and Antonio passed through the gate with Lorenzo, Bena being close to him on the other side. And when Bena saw the great force of pikemen, and, behind their ranks, a mighty throng of people, and when he saw the tall gibbet and understood what it was, suddenly his face went red and his hand flew to his sword. But Antonio caught his arm, saying, "My sword is not drawn, Bena." "My lord, what does it mean?" cried Bena in a loud voice, so that Lorenzo heard and stayed his steps and looked at Bena. "Does he not know?" he asked of Antonio. "He does not know yet," said Antonio. And to Bena he said, "I have need of your sword, Bena. Give it me." "My sword, my lord?" "Yes, your sword." Bena looked at him with wondering frightened eyes; but slowly he unbuckled his sword from his belt and gave it to Antonio. And Antonio unbuckled his own sword also and gave them both to the Lieutenant of the Guard, saying, "Sir, I pray you to restore Bena's to him in the evening, and mine to me when I go forth to Rilano." But Bena clutched at Antonio's arm, crying again, "What does it mean, my lord?" Then Antonio took him by the hand and said, "Are we to be afraid now of what we have often faced together with light hearts, Bena?"