k scowl disfigured the serenity of Gonzaga's brow.

"I am indeed. Deal with him as you account best and most just, and it
shall fare with him precisely as you ordain."

Francesco turned to the men-at-arms. "Unbind him, one of you," he said
shortly.

"I believe that you are mad," cried Gonzaga, in a frenzy, but his mood
sprang rather from the chagrin of seeing his interloper prevail where he
had failed. "Madonna, do not heed him."

"I pray you let be, my good Gonzaga," she answered soothingly, and
Gonzaga, ready to faint from spite, obeyed her.

"Leave him there, and go," was Paolo's next order to the men, and they
departed, leaving the astonished Fortemani standing alone, unbound and
sheepish.

"Now mark me well, Messer Fortemani," Francesco admonished him. "You
did a cowardly thing, unworthy of the soldier that you would have men
believe you. And for that, I think, the punishment you received at my
hands has been sufficient, in that the indignity to which I submitted
you has shaken your standing with your followers. Go back to them now
and retrieve what you have lost, and see that in the future you are
worthier. Let this be a lesson to you, Messer Fortemani. You have gone
perilously near hanging, and you have had it proved to you that in
moments of peril your men are ready to raise their hands against you.
Why is that? Because you have not sought their respect. You have been
too much a fellow of theirs in their drinking and their brawling,
instead of holding yourself aloof with dignity."

"Lord, I have learnt my lesson!" answered the cowed bully.

"Then act upon it. Resume your command, and discipline your men to a
better order. Madonna, here, and Messer Gonzaga will forget this thing.
Is it not so, Madonna? Is it not so, Messer Gonzaga?"

Swayed by his will and by an intuition that told her that to whatever
end he might be working, he was working wisely, Valentina gave Fortemani
the assurance Francesco begged, and Gonzaga was forced grudgingly to
follow her example.

Fortemani bowed low, his face pale and his limbs trembling as not even
fear had made them tremble. He advanced towards Valentina, and sinking
on one knee, he humbly kissed the hem of her gown.

"Your clemency, Madonna, shall give you no regret. I will serve you to
the death, lady, and you, lord." At the last words he raised his eyes
to Francesco's calm face. Then, without so much as a glance at the
disappointed Gonzaga, he rose, and bowing ag