“The lion and mouse,” I murmured.
“Why yes, if you will.”
“And this man is the husband of your sister!” I exclaimed, almost involuntarily.
“Does that imply a doubt of what I have said?” he flashed, his head thrown back, his brows drawn suddenly together.
“No, no,” I hastened to assure him. He smiled softly.
“Maddonna Lucrezia knows all—or nearly all. Of what else she may need to learn, that letter will inform her. It is the last thread, the last knot needed, before we can complete the net in which we are to hold that tyrant? Now, will you bear the letter?”
Would I bear it? Dear God! To achieve the end in view I would have spent my remaining days in motley, making sport for grooms and kitchen wenches. Some such answer did I make him, and he smiled his satisfaction.
“You shall journey as you are,” he bade me. “I am guided by my sister, assured that the coat of a Fool is stouter protection than the best hauberk ever tempered. When you have done your errand come you back to me, and you shall have employment better suited to one who bears the name of Biancomonte.”
“You may depend upon me in this, my lord,” I promised gravely. “I shall not fail you.”
“It is well” said he; and those wondrous eyes of his rested again upon my face. “How soon can you set out?”