THE FOOL ERRANT - World eBook Library - World Public Library
THE FOOL ERRANT - World eBook Library - World Public Library
THE FOOL ERRANT - World eBook Library - World Public Library
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
"Not at all, count," I said, "not at all. But I should have asked the Grand Duke's principal Minister to remember that he had<br />
betrayed an innocent girl's whereabouts to those who sought her ruin, and to give fair play to him who had risked his life to<br />
protect her."<br />
"You wrong me, sir," he said warmly; "you accuse me of treachery. Of that I am incapable. As for my distinguished friend here<br />
——"<br />
"Let your distinguished friend deny that he purchased Virginia Strozzi from her parents," I retorted; "that he has sought her ever<br />
since—that he sent Palamone to murder me—that he still intends some mischief. Let him deny these things, and I speak no<br />
more of them."<br />
The marchese said not a word. The count took up the tale.<br />
"Let me, in my turn, trouble you with a few denials. I do not deny that Donna Aurelia was in Florence earlier than you<br />
supposed, nor that I kept you in ignorance of it. It was judged better on all accounts. Father Carnesecchi was of that opinion. I<br />
believe that the lady had no desire to see you. Perhaps you will pardon my franchise when I say that it would have been singular<br />
if she had. She desired to be accommodated with her husband—and that was done. My part in that affair, which I am very<br />
ready to defend, need not concern you, though (if I remember rightly) you professed yourself anxious on that account. Now for<br />
my denials. I deny flatly that I did any service to my distinguished friend at your expense. I deny it point-blank. And I deny that,<br />
when—not for the first time—you took the law into your own hands, I purposely removed myself from the city. That suspicion<br />
of yours is not worth so many words. What should my purpose be? What object could I have? Why should I become your<br />
enemy?"<br />
"That, sir," I said, "is what I intend to find out. Be so good as to add these to your denials if you can. Will you deny that you<br />
witnessed the performance of the Donne Furlane in Siena on the occasion of the Grand Duke's birthday last year?"<br />
He said, "I remember it, and a remarkable performance it was."<br />
"And did you see it in company of Donna Aurelia?"<br />
"I did."<br />
"And did you give yourself the pain to send officers to arrest an actor called De' Pazzi?"<br />
He was silent. I said then:<br />
"And did you not know that I was that actor? Now, Count Giraldi, since you cannot deny these facts, I will ask you why you<br />
are my enemy? For you are not a man who acts without reason."<br />
We were upon the river bank a little short of the Rubiconte Bridge. The water rippled languidly over the muddy reaches, but the<br />
rush of the weir was audible. Not another sound was to be heard, not a soul was in sight. We three stopped—I was facing the<br />
two men, my back to the low river wall. I heard Giraldi's breath come short and whistling through his fine nose; I heard<br />
Semifonte breathing through his mouth—shorter breaths—he was panting.<br />
Count Giraldi spoke, using great command of himself, measuring his words.<br />
"I think I will tell you the facts," he said, "I think that will be best. You can then judge my actions, and, as a reasonable man,<br />
govern your own by them.<br />
"Man of the world as I am," he continued, "I must confess that you surprised me upon our first acquaintance. I could not tell<br />
whether I was consorting with a very refined profligate or (forgive me) a very singular fool. You came into the city in search (as<br />
you told me) of a lady with whom you had had an abortive affair—but you came in company with an attractive person, in a<br />
relationship with her which could only bear one interpretation—No, no, you must hear me out, if you please," he said<br />
peremptorily, stopping my protest before it could be framed in words. "Upon your representations I interested myself in Donna<br />
118