Adventure, June 1911 — page 62: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

248 clusion that the business was not to their liking. Returning to the hall, I kicked the fire and polished the hilt of my sword. A mutiny! Andif I fell, what would then be- come of the Princess? I shuddered to think what might chance if O’Meara and I were cut down and the wild horde about us were left free to do their own will. However, it was useless to worry. I needed all my strength and had better try to sleep. But hardly had I closed my eyes when a new thought sent me to my feet in a cold chill. What if some among my men should try tampering with the Princess’ door? In the end I strétched myself at full length close to her threshold on the stone paving. In the morning I bade O’ Meara take food to the ladies, whom I had no intention of seeking that day. It was quite useless, I knew, to try to convince the Princess of my good faith, and I had resolved to make no further effort. O’Meara did not return, and after finish- ing my meal in solitude I began to experience considerable curiosity as to what he could be about. Yielding at last, I went quietly up the stairs, and paused with my foot on the topmost step, my mouth falling open in astonishment. Francesca and O’Meara had come out into the gallery. Ismiled. Since Giulia had failed the night before in her attempt to crush me with her anger and her cold steel, no doubt her lady had determined to see if she might not have better luck in winning O’Meara over to their cause. A wide stone bench was built into the wall, and on this lay Madonna Francesca in the most limp and pathetic heap imaginable, her misty golden hair disheveled, her dark eyes full of tears, her pretty lips quivering in a fashion that might well have made any living man long to kiss them into smiles. The Irishman stood before her, and at sight of him I came near to betraying my presence with a roar of mirth. Never in my life had I beheld such a picture of abject cow- ardice as he now appeared before this little golden-haired lady. “Ah,” she sobbed, piteously enough. “T can not believe it of you, Messer O’Meara, indeed I can not! Only two days ago we were in the Prince’s loggia, and you swore you loved me with all your heart and soul——” “And I did that same!” he protested | passionately. Adventure She turned away from him pettishly. ‘‘I can never trust you again, I can never look on you without fear and horror!” she in- formed him relentlessly. ‘‘Do you think I shall ever forget the ride you gave me yester- day? lIamstiff and sore and frightened yet —and see how you bruised my finger against your steel vest! It is blue at the tip, you can see for yourself!” And she extended a little, white hand with an intensely tragic gesture. The utter horror that instantly depicted itself on O’ Meara’s face appeared to mollify her slightly, and amused me to such a point that I came near betraying my presence by a burst of laughter. A bruised finger, indeed! The Irishman was accustomed to see blood run like water, and I had seen him take wounds that were near mortal with never a groan, yet his anguished solicitude was as sincere as though he were some young girl who had never looked on a bare blade. AG I LEFT the two at their wrangling > and made the round of the castle, - finding nothing that heartened me greatly. The dissatisfaction of the men had grown in the night; presently there would be an outbreak—and I found myself looking forward to it with an uneasiness I had never felt before in time of peril. I gave no sign, but strode about briskly, praising some, rating others, giving curt orders after my usual fashion, but I knew that the instant my gaze was off them they fell to grumbling and plotting behind my back. The air had the still tenseness of a coming storm. And if my own troopers turned against me, how was I to hold the castle against Antonio? Weary and disheartened, I went up on the battlements, gazing across the black woods and the fertile country that melted away in the distance. How soon might I hope to see the Florentine troop come across that stretch of land to help mein my need? And what if, for reasons of policy, they should forget my old services and fail me? I de- cided that it was best not to consider this possibility. Come what might, having gone thus far I must’ go farther, and save the Princess. I had been reflecting in melancholy soli- tude for perhaps an hour when hurrying footsteps sounded near me and Pierre came rushing into sight. “Sir John, Sir John!” Pa he cried eagerly. ‘Come below, I beg you! Messer O’Meara has sent me tosummon you. Comiciooksreconn