The Viper of Milan: A Romance of Lombardy

rad's rescue. He had made a recovery the more rapid that no leech had been there to meddle with him. Left to the simplest nursing, the barest needful nourishment, and the v

Conrad between them, betook themselves into a thicket near. There, in his solitary prowlings to and fro, Francisco had discovered a deep cave underneath a sandbank, the entrance well overgrown

o secure horses, by fair means or foul, and, as soon as Conrad could sit the saddle, to depart for Ferrara. So far Francisco's stealthy and cautious manoeuvres to possess himself of what he ne

Two, indeed, had come so near the hiding-place that their talk was plain. T

efore Francisco's departure, it was arranged between him and Tomaso that their rendezvous at sundown should be the ruined hut where they had first had

s to the heat of Visconti's pursuit, but reassured them also as to returning to

d, as time went on, unconsciously they grew more

d into silence. Tomaso sat alert, looking through the op

ore. He was very handsome, of a sunny, pleasant expression, a quality rarely found among the Italians of Lombardy; and tod

' he remarked again, and T

aid with some reproach. 'Horses must be found - somewhere - f

t accompany him,' said Conrad; 'we

would have hampered

had his doubts of Conrad's discretion, and had left Toma

will try naught so mad as that attempt on the walls of Milan we made two days ago! The saints preserve us! But I th

ippant tone that reflecte

'and all but succeeded; once within

. 'Thou art young, Tomaso, or thou wouldst see

turned Tomaso, 'this inaction

d and change

sked. Tor a mere servitor at della Scala's c

ll in the sack of Verona. It is not strange he shoul

than he claims,' said the Count judiciall

boy replied. 'I owe him my life. I would d

ng too?' laughed Conrad. 'When the time com

inging his legs, looked around the hut with

, my lord,' said Tomaso, an

friend gets

rish,' flashed Tomaso. 'If Francisco ge

nto Milan, I will travel on foot in any oth

e as thou wert. Think of the death Visconti doomed thee to. Thou hast great wrongs to r

Count Conrad's face,

a long low room in yonder villa, with narrow windows I could scarce get my hand through - all of stoney and meant for cool in summer heat; into this I was forced, unbound, left with mock ceremony, and the door locked upon me. Ah! the sound of that key, Tomaso; they seemed to turn it in my heart, for I guessed its meaning. I had heard too often of Visconti's letting his prisoners die of hunger, and, as I listened to the soldiers' footsteps fading in the distance, the cold horror of the truth seized my heart. At first it seemed impossible that I could starve in my own dwelling. I mocked my fears; I could force, I could break the window! I laugh now at my own absurdities.

n a dream I saw Giannotto lay a tempting feast; a banquet for one or two, such as I and Visconti had oft

said. "I would not refuse th

agony. When my ravings ceased, I found myself, my hands upon the food, it almost at my lips. But I resisted; I set it from me; and then my eyes wandered round the room in blank despair. I saw - the key still in the l

t mean, lor

; such things will happen. I have heard of them when in my native land from prisoners of war. But all I knew and cared for was that I was free! At first, indeed, it seemed to promise little good. I crept, I know not how, int

t talking of it; it is all past and done with, and I live, a sound, free man, thanks to our brave Veronese; though in

ow Conrad could so easily shake off his hatred of

h Conrad was again

own train of thought, rather than addressin

is tale to Francisco, this was the only time he had named her. It seemed

ne is to marry the Duke of Orle

not even yet in Italy. Much may have happened ere he i

wn,' he said, 'it is

ad. 'I would I had gone with our friend -

e ill concea

, Count Conrad; even now the so

e von Schulembourg l

of manner that could always win him friends. 'I owe too large a debt to all of

aso. 'Francisco charged us to be so disposed that we

into an idle mood. 'Methinks our Veronese del

chestnut-bordered path, sorely impatient for Francisco'

t him in surprise. Did

n the table, admiring his shapely h

epeated Tomaso.

ssed his legs da

men. Thou hast read old romance, boy? And must remember ho

anced with disdain down

this garb,' he added, and kicked th

r, unheeding of the Count's complaints, wat

it. Lady Valentine's gift - thinking of the chessmen brought it to my mind

so, bewildered and startled at

with excitement. 'At the villa,' he cried.

or with outstretched arms. We promised Francisco we would not

eanwhile am I to twirl my thumbs in here, and Lady Valentine's love-gift calling to me from beyond that wall? Out of my way, Tomaso.

u helpest to rescue her from Milan,' Tomaso said curtly. 'But what us

r nor my affection to leave it there to be some mercenary's plunder; and the chessmen too, boy! The set the Emperor gave - ah! you would love them

ere that we await him.' At Tomaso's words, Conrad raised his arched eyebrows. 'Order? To thee, maybe

not heeding his entreaties. 'Calm thyself, I shall be back long before the grim Veronese!' he sa

ho so little knows his duty

o stop him, and with a smile on his lips and

heart of danger and at the crucial moment, for

it after him. But Count Conrad was fleet of foot; he had disappeared, and Tomaso dared follow no

rd the sound of horses ridden cautiously, and in

powerful black horse, and leading two others

d, though it has taken me all day . . . Now,

omaso, half-crying with

m?' said Francisc

ch something. Oh, Messer Francisco, pre

cried Francisco. 'Did he r

wrung h

dagger he remembered

thinks I left a fool to guard a fool,' he said. 'Did I not tell

faltered out a recital of what had

ar, but mine the fault to trust the foreign coxcomb.' Never ha

bade Tomaso mount, and saw to his own girths, he paused irresolute, and Tomaso was thankful.

he said, 'the Lady Valentine's

softened, and he added presently: 'He must be brought back, we cannot w

lifted Vittore to the ground. 'Str

messer?' as

t come by the road if come again they do. Hold thither at once and spy, and then return and wait us here.

the way the Count had gone, till his tall figure was lost to v

the boy, 'we have

ned the other bitterly; 'Fra

was eager rather for a listener

ut there were naught but sorry jades in every stable that we peered into, every

asked Tomaso, looking admiringly at the splendid ani

m, and offered money, but they jeered and shouted and drove us off. Then Francisco stood before me while I crept up to those three and loosened

est. 'I am glad that thou didst show thy

m rushed out; there was a

t three?' c

my hand. We rushed away. Of one he broke the head, I think, with his thick staff, and had his arm hit hard, but 'tis not hurt, he says. Some followed awhile, but th

he Count is right; he is more than he appears. Now we will leave the hors

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