He had recovered himself, and met my gaze fearlessly. Where could I have seen that face before? I drew my hand over my forehead as if to sweep the cobwebs from my memory, but with no avail.
"Well," he went on, with a smile, "do I look like an enemy? If I do, your sword is ready. Strike now, it will be a quick riddance, come!"
"I do not understand, but I accept your explanation."
"That is right, and you will still let me be your comrade?"
We walked back together in silence, and on reaching the courtyard St. Armande said,
"I am afraid I have fallen much in your esteem."
"My esteem, chevalier, is at present of no value to man or woman."
"Do you think so?" he said, and then rapidly, "Adieu for the present; remember, I hold you to your word that you think me a friend."
I made no answer, and he ran lightly up the steps of the principal entrance.
I supped that evening for a change with the gentlemen of the suite; but St. Armande was not there, and there were a few free remarks made concerning the manner in which he was supposed to have been received at the Vatican by Giulia Orsini, and Lucrezia Borgia.
"If it goes on like this," said Le Clerc, "we will have to drag the Tiber for his body, and say masses for his soul, unless he puts the seas between himself and the Borgia."
"He never struck me as a man to run after the ladies," I said.
"No," replied the abbé, "but it is the other way. You would stand no chance against him, cavalier, for all your long moustache--a thousand thanks," and the genial Le Clerc seized the flagon of Orvieto I passed to him, and filled his goblet.
After this the conversation changed, and I shortly retired to my apartments, and dismissing my lackey, sat down to read a book on falconry that the cardinal had lent me. I had not been occupied thus for an hour when the door opened, and Jacopo cautiously peeped in. He withdrew his head on catching my eye, and I heard him shuffling outside.
"Excellency," and the sound of further shuffling, but no Jacopo. I lost patience at this, and fearing at the same time that there had been trouble, repeated my order to come in sharply. This had the desired effect; but as soon as my henchman appeared in view I made certain there had been a brawl. He was very red in the face, and from under the helmet he wore I could see a white bandage.