The Honour of Savelli: A RomanceLevett Yeats, S. (Sidney)
History
The Honour of Savelli: A Romance
Levett Yeats, S. (Sidney)
Italy -- History -- 1492-1559 -- Fiction
As we sat down to breakfast, the chevalier explained that he had made
a further search for the letter, but in vain.
"I ought to have told you," I said, "I have found it."
"Where?"
"In the garden--in shreds and tatters."
He became suddenly very silent, and so we finished our meal. All that
day I rested, more for the horses' sake than my own, and be sure I did
not fail to make frequent enquiry of Angiola's condition, hearing each
time she was better, and would certainly see me on the morrow. Whilst
I lay resting, my mind was active. I cast up the time I had left at my
disposal. I still had four clear days to carry out my mission, and to
make my plans to intercept Bozardo. But after my adventure in Perugia
I had need for extra care, and could not afford to throw away an hour
of the four days that were left to me. There were many points to think
of. Bozardo would no doubt be strongly escorted, and if the forty
thousand ducats he had with him were in gold, they would be difficult
to carry away, and would be a great temptation to my men. I could
answer for Jacopo and Bande Nere; of course St. Armande was beyond
suspicion, my doubts of him were at rest; but for the others? They
might or might not yield to temptation. If they did yield, affairs
would be serious indeed. I deliberated long and carefully, making up
my mind to adopt the following course. Tremouille was but a few miles
from me. I would see him, tell him of the enterprise which D'Amboise
had entrusted to me, and ask him to send a troop, or some trusted men,
to whom I could hand over the money in case I succeeded. If he could
send these men on to Sassoferrato, I meant to ambuscade on the banks
of the Misa, make my dash at Bozardo there, and if all went well, they
could receive the money in a few hours, and relieve me of that
anxiety. Of course Tremouille might refuse to see me; he might even do
worse; but I would give him the chance and accept the risk.
When I came to think of it, it was hardly possible that he was
unacquainted with the cardinal's design, and I could form no better
plan than the one I had resolved upon. I would have to deny myself the
pleasure of seeing Angiola on the morrow, but the four days gave me no
margin. The day's repose did me much good, and, after supper, which we
took about six o'clock, I ordered Castor to be saddled. St. Armande
looked surprised, but I wasted no words, telling him briefly that I
was bound on business, and that on my return we should have to make an
immediate start. I refused all offer of companionship, and shortly
after Castor and I were galloping through the glow of a late sunset to
the camp of Tremouille.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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