“They can fight well, prince, and pillage as well as fight, as you will find, when you know them better,” said Bourbon, laughing.
“If they serve without pay, as I suppose they do, they must plunder,” said Philibert. “Despite their looks and equipments, they seem good soldiers.”
“The Pope will think so if they once get within the walls of Rome,” remarked Bourbon. “They are all impatience to be there, and I do not mean to balk them.”
“Then you do not design to attack Florence?” inquired the Prince of Orange.
“I have no artillery,” replied Bourbon, “and I do not wish to waste time in a siege. Florence will be defended by the army of the League and the Pontifical troops. Rome is more important.”
While they were thus conversing, Von Frundsberg and Zucker came up, and their new leader was presented to them by Bourbon.
Philibert possessed some of the qualities of Bourbon himself, and could put on, when he pleased, the rough frankness of a soldier. His manner pleased Von Frunds-berg, and that hardy veteran was delighted with him when they became better acquainted, and had passed half the night in a carouse.