The man's eyes followed the card, and he muttered as if to himself--
"A big stake--yes--Carlo gives me nothing--I am his jailor--I, who in a single night have lost two lordships to Riario, have now not a ducat to fling in the air, except what the niggard allows me."
I did not like the part I was playing; but I knew enough of the state of affairs to be certain that D'Amboise would richly reward the person who could detach Baglioni from the Borgia. I said no more than the truth therefore when I added quietly--
"You would have another lordship, or two maybe, to stake, if my proposal were carried out."
"Cospetto!" he said, "it is useless."
"Then I am sorry," I replied, rising as if to depart, "but must wish you good day."
"Diavolo! Cavaliere, you are not going without some refreshment. Ho! without there," and his deep voice pealed out like a great bell.
The bear, which had stretched itself on the floor, rose with a grunt, but Baglioni pressed its head down, and it sank back, and began to hum to itself between its paws, like an enormous bee, or rather with the sound a thousand bees might make.
After a little delay there was a knock at the door, but apparently, as usual, the person outside, whoever he was, did not feel disposed to come in. My host rose in anger, and stepped across the room, followed by his beast, the latter passing unpleasantly close to me.
There was an altercation at the door, my host went out with his pet, and for a minute or two I was left alone. I moved my seat nearer to the small table beside Baglioni's lounge, and taking up the pack of cards began to shuffle and cut them.