'Next Saturday. That is the first market-day.'
'So soon.' We were all surprised; it was only five days off, it gave us very little time to think. It was terribly near. Alessandro voiced our feelings.
'Does that give us enough time? Why not Saturday week? There are many needful preparations.'
'There are no needful preparations. You have your swords ready; the others can be warned in a few hours. I wish it were to-morrow.'
'It is—it is very soon.'
'There is less danger of our courage failing meanwhile. We have our goal before us, and we must go to it straight, with clearness of mind and strength of will.'
There was nothing more to be said. As we separated, one of the Moratini asked,—
'About the others, shall we—'
'You can leave everything to me. I take all on my hands. Will you three come here to play a game of chess on Friday night at ten? Our affairs will occupy us so that we shall not meet in the interval. I recommend you to go about as much as possible, and let yourselves be seen in all assemblies and parties....'