"Yes, there is one," said Antonio. But Bena did not understand his meaning.
Thus they rode till it wanted only two hours of noon; and then they were within five miles of the city, and Bena, looking, beheld the great gibbet rising above the walls of the city and standing forth grim and black in front of the marble face of the Cathedral.
"What is that, my lord," he cried, "which towers above the walls of the city?"
"Is it not enough to know when we come there?" answered Antonio.
Then Bena sighed, and said to Antonio, "I find it in my heart, my lord, to be half sorry that the Duke pardons us; for we lived a fine merry life in the hills. Yet it will be pleasant to live at ease: and we have adventures enough to tell our sweethearts, aye, and our children too, when we grow old, and they come round us and ask us for stories of our youth. I hope my boys will be good at a fight, my lord, and serve your sons as I have served you."
"It may be God's will that I leave no sons to bear my name, Bena."
"I do not think that," said Bena with a laugh.
They were now passing the hill on which stood the blackened walls of Antonio's house, which Duke Valentine had burnt.
Bena cried out at the sight. "You will need to spend much in rebuilding it," said he.
"Perhaps His Highness has provided another dwelling for me," said Antonio.