The Viper of Milan: A Romance of Lombardy

though, with Tomaso dead, what even pity could do for him he scarcely knew. Then again the boy's heart failed him. Perhaps this was no mor

eat, and half-stumbling over them, the stranger abruptly withdrew his eyes from Milan a

ed, patched, slashed, and travel-worn. His legs were bound with straw and

pouch hung at his side. The man's face and bearing belied his dress. He was not handsome, and a peculiar effect was given to his expression by the

eat distress. My cousin lies there dead, or

ed the traveller, 'and have n

ue, the language of the better classes, and to Vittore, who was gently nurtured, more fam

f,' he added, 'thou art welcome

across, then around him. The sun was almost set, a whole flock of delicate litt

broke off abruptly. 'Thy cousin, didst thou say? - wha

. 'And what are you two doing travelling alone?' he de

a, by way

hem, and came on here alone, lest perhaps they had preceded us. But for this accident we thought

g over Tomaso, and Vitt

esently, touching the mark upon To

was quiet a

ing,' he said at last. 'T

r the stranger's care Tomaso opened his eyes, and feebly muttered and trie

did Visconti

he peasants said it

not yet reen

now Vittore felt

an either,' said the strang

nd Tomaso's eyes, half-closing, reopened an

te Visconti?' w

erhaps I not less than others. Boy,' he added, with sudden intensity, 'I have only t

ng his eyes looked long and searchingly away from Milan; but the du

rn of new-sprung resolution, the str

air, Tomaso was helped upon his feet. Vittore

ll we thank thee

'Thou wert journeying to Verona, didst

' Leaning against the stranger, indeed half-carried by

cala's court, and sent for us to shar

cala's court has perished. I a

oulder. Vittore's young heart swelled, then see

and my uncle: did

. 'Who shall say who perished or who not on

e, the Duchess, is yon

st be dead! Maybe; who knows? All the same, tho

g, boy. I am the Visconti's foe. For the sake of della Scala, whom I knew, for the sake of Verona, where I lived, for t

s knee, Francisco turned a train

ht, no doubt the boundary of a villa of unusual size and magnificence. Beneath the wall, half-hidden by a grove of chestnuts, was the usual cluster

for security, yet not too far to hamper any return hither. They seem deserted, but

wistings, brought them out into a turf-grown opening around three sides of which the cottages were built. The fourth was the wall enclosing the grounds, and along it, bordering a d

eserted, though it could not have been long since the faggots had

charm. The fast-grown grass was thick with flowers; and a wo

gs in the walls. The light by now had faded, and save that it was empty of life, little else would have been discernible, but a portion of the roof had been broken away, as if by some pikeman's reckless thrust, and through th

id Francisco grimly. 'Ha

nd he picked up from hi

re he had laid Tomaso and

ng a raised shield wrought with the

. This may account for its desertion. Yes - no doubt

he set the goblet on the table, where

ittore. 'Eat this and then slee

p sleep of utter weariness of mind and body. Francisco bent above Tomaso and gave him wine t

murmured. 'Tomorro

ing Tomaso's feeble but eager impulse, 'I know not yet what I can do myself. But we have a cause in c

laid it over him, and Tomaso lay back on the read

to the table, and sitting, drew out his dagger and carefully examined it, then laid it ready. He felt in his wall

outh, not sure he gazed u

broken roof, the faint stars, and near him Vittore sleeping. The goblet still shone upon th

spring night, fire beating at h

ragrant chestnuts, and brilliant in the semi-dark, like flame beh

d thought grimly they were

ghostliness seemed to step among the trees; a sighing came from t

rple, illusive and mysterious. To the man's fevered mood they seemed an omen; souls of the dead allowed to take farew

forward swiftly to the road, and strained

red Milan? Or had he gone too far to return that night? He sat upon the boulders wher

conti had crossed his path? Long he waited. Not a sound save the dancing of the leaves, the rising wind, the soft noises of the night. At length Francisco leaped to his feet, and his breath came short and fast. He

isco

first it was the wind he heard mingling with the trample of the oncoming hoofs. Then he knew it for screams of fury and wild shouting.

ing horse and yelling rider;

imly. Now the furious cries came clearly, terrible, inhu

Visc

blind rage and horror. His cap was gone, and hair and cloak

n in Lombardy that the Visconti trafficked with the fiend, and this must be h

turned. The horse was upon him. Swift as thought, Franc

his own great strength for the moment saved him. And now his wild shouts we

Visconti?' he called.

mon scream, and as the earth whirled round with him, caught one fleeting glimpse of the white, distorted, hated face

'they are after us, bu

owly back and picked his dagger from the road. Not far from it he saw a parchment roll tossed from Viscon

picked u

poetry and patched wit