The marquis laughed. "Rushed upon it—did he? Of course you are an innocent lamb of a parricide, and the judgment passed upon your act was a most iniquitous one. It was doubtless a shame that you were publicly maimed, and then led back to prison to await your execution. Possibly you may remember the night that followed your punishment, when a priest entered your cell, and, on condition that you paid him implicit obedience for five years, offered you life and the release of your paramour—the woman for whose sake you murdered your father."
"Poor Caterina!" sighed Antonio. "To think that, for the life of a babe not a day old, she should be imprisoned for five years!"
"Why, then, did she murder it?" asked Strozzi.
"To save herself from the vengeance of her husband, excellenza. But
I—I have kept my word, and have served you faithfully, have I not?"
"Yes—you are a tolerably submissive hound," said Strozzi, scornfully. "How long before your bondage ceases?"
"Excellenza, it was in January, 1683, that you appeared to me in the dress of a priest, and saved me from the headsman. I owe you still one year, one month, and twenty-six days of service."
"You are accurate—very; but mark me! If you fail in the least point, the contract is null. I neither release your Caterina nor you."
"I am your slave, and have no will but yours."
"'Tis well. What have you learned to-day?"
"As regards the gracious marchioness, but little. She drew, played on her harp, and embroidered, as usual, and wrote a letter, which she committed to the hands of that demoiselle Victorine. who gives out that she was sent to her ladyship by her friend the Duchess of Orleans."