int of
mounting, when, of a sudden, a rumbling noise, as of distant thunder,
but too continuous for that, arrested him, his foot already in the
stirrup.

"What is that?" he asked, an ashen pallor overspreading his effeminate
face, as, doubtless, the thought of the enemy came uppermost in his
mind.

Men looked at one another with fear in their eyes and some of the ladies
raised their voices in querulous beseeching for reassurance. They had
their answer even as they asked. The Albanian Giacomo, who was now
virtually the provost of the Castle, appeared suddenly at the gates with
half a score of men. He raised a warning hand, which compelled the Lord
Giovanni to pause; then he rasped out a brisk command to his followers.
The winches creaked, and the drawbridge swung up even as with a clank
and rattle of chains the portcullis fell.

That done, he came forward to impart the ominous news which one of his
riders had brought him at the gallop from the Porta Romana.

A party of some fifty men, commanded by one of Cesare's captains, had
ridden on in advance of the main army to call upon Pesaro to yield
to the forces of the Church. And the people, without hesitation, had
butchered the guard and thrown wide the gates, inviting the enemy to
enter the town and seize the Castle. And to the end that this might be
the better achieved, a hundred or so had traitorously taken up arms, and
were pressing forward to support the little company that came, with
such contemptuous daring, to storm our fortress and prepare the way for
Valentino.

It was a pretty situation this for the Lord Giovanni, and here were fine
opportunities for some brave acting under the eyes of his adored Madonna
Paola. How would he bear himself now? I wondered.

He promised mighty well once the first shock of the news was overcome.

"By God and His saints!" he roared, "though it may be all that it is
given me to do, I'll strike a blow to punish these dastards who have
betrayed me, and to crush the presumption of this captain who attacks us
with fifty men. It is a contempt which he shall bitterly repent him."

Then he thundered to Giacomo to marshal his men, and he called upon
those of his courtiers who were knights to put on their armour that they
might support him. Lastly he bade a page go help him to arm, that he
might lead his little force in person.

I saw Madonna Paola's eyes gleam with a sudden light of admiration,
and I guessed that in the matter of Giov