On the following morning Manfredi sent swift messengers to inform his son and Gianluigi of what had happened. The count was terribly enraged, but he concealed his anger and waited to know the nature of Della Torre’s wounds and what hope there might be of his recovery. Learning that, though disfigured for life, he would recover from the effects of the fall, he called to him his brother Cornelio and his cousin Simone and said to them: “You know, Cornelio, the outrage which Della Torre has committed against our sister Claudia, and I believe that if you have the spirit which belongs to your blood you will arrange with Simone to take such vengeance as the case requires. I have prepared two galleys, manned by twenty well-armed and brave men each. Set sail. Three hours before dawn you will be in Chiavari. There, without any delay, you will assail the house of Della Torre, and if you tear him into a thousand pieces you will give him that reward which his crime merits. Having accomplished your purpose, take refuge in my castles which are near there and of which I give you the countersigns. Afterwards leave me to provide for everything. Unless you discharge this duty, you, Cornelio, will never come into my presence lest I kill you with my own hands; and you, Simone, will be no longer kinsman nor friend of mine.” The two promised to execute his commands, and setting sail, they arrived at Chiavari at the hour appointed. Having landed, three of them went to the gates of the town and asked the guardian to admit them. Once within, the three threw out the drawbridge, and the others, who were concealed close at hand, thus marched in, threatening the guardians with death if they raised an alarm. They made straight for their enemy’s house, broke down the door, rushed into the apartment where Della Torre was sleeping and tore him in pieces. Having accomplished their vengeance, they retired to the castle of Roccatagliata, where the government did not dare to molest them. CHAPTER VII. PREPARATIONS. Character of the Fieschi family--Gianluigi acquires the friendship of the silk operatives and other plebeians--The Duke of Piacenza selects the count to arbitrate his differences with the Pallavicini--Secret understandings between the count and the duke--Gianluigi puts his castles in a condition for war--Gianettino Doria, to pave the way to supreme power, gives Captain Lercaro an order to kill Fieschi--Industry of Verrina--The decisions of history on the merits of Fieschi should be made in view of the political doctrines of the sixteenth century.