Part 109 (1/2)
The maid said, in an awe-struck whisper, ”Altezza, the man is here.”
The lady bade her admit him, and s.n.a.t.c.hed up a little black mask and put it on; and in a moment her colour was gone, and the contrast between her black mask and her marble cheeks was strange and fearful.
A man entered bowing and sc.r.a.ping. It was such a figure as crowds seem made of; short hair, roundish head, plain, but decent clothes; features neither comely nor forbidding. Nothing to remark in him but a singularly restless eye.
After a profusion of bows he stood opposite the lady, and awaited her pleasure.
”They have told you for what you are wanted.”
”Yes, signora.”
”Did those who spoke to you agree as to what you are to receive?”
”Yes, signora. 'Tis the full price; and purchases the greater vendetta: unless of your benevolence you choose to content yourself with the lesser.”
”I understand you not,” said the lady.
”Ah; this is the signora's first. The lesser vendetta, lady, is the death of the body only. We watch our man come out of a church; or take him in an innocent hour; and so deal with him. In the greater vendetta we watch him, and catch him hot from some unrepented sin, and so slay his soul as well as his body. But this vendetta is not so run upon now as it was a few years ago.”
”Man, silence me his tongue, and let his treasonable heart beat no more.
But his soul I have no feud with.”
”So be it, signora. He who spoke to me knew not the man, nor his name, nor his abode. From whom shall I learn these?”
”From myself.”
At this the man, with the first symptoms of anxiety he had shown, entreated her to be cautious, and particular in this part of the business.
”Fear me not,” said she. ”Listen. It is a young man, tall of stature, and auburn hair, and dark-blue eyes, and an honest face, would deceive a saint. He lives in the Via Claudia, at the corner house; the glover's.
In that house there lodge but three males: he, and a painter short of stature and dark visaged, and a young, slim boy. He that hath betrayed me is a stranger, fair; and taller than thou art.”
The bravo listened with all his ears. ”It is enough,” said he. ”Stay, signora, haunteth he any secret place where I may deal with him?”
”My spy doth report me he hath of late frequented the banks of Tiber after dusk; doubtless to meet his light o' love, who calls me her rival; even there slay him! and let my rival come and find him; the smooth, heartless, insolent traitor.”
”Be calm, signora. He will betray no more ladies.”
”I know not that. He weareth a sword, and can use it. He is young and resolute.”
”Neither will avail him.”
”Are ye so sure of your hand? What are your weapons?”
The bravo showed her a steel gauntlet. ”We strike with such force we needs must guard our hand. This is our mallet.” He then undid his doublet, and gave her a glimpse of a coat of mail beneath, and finally laid his glittering stiletto on the table with a flourish.
The lady shuddered at first, but presently took it up in her white hand and tried its point against her finger.