Rafael Sabatini

“ And Capello understood that to declare that Sinibaldi had been shot in Cesare’s stead was to declare that Sinibaldi had planned the shooting—to convict by a very simple inference the envoy of the Most Serene.
Blankly, trembling, Capello looked into the Borgia’s eyes, and saw that the Borgia mocked him. And, bitterer still, he was forced to play the dupe; forced to pretend that he saw in this no more than Cesare intended that the world should see. He stifled his rage and chagrin, and stood there with bowed head. He must play the part imposed upon him. ”

“ To ensure this Sinibaldi proposed to seduce Graziani, whom he had some cause to believe disaffected.
“That was all I overheard, my lord,” she ended.
“Enough, as God lives!” snorted Cesare, his eyes blazing.
His countenance flung her into fresh terror. She rose in her agitation, and appealed to him to remember his plighted word. He put aside his wrath, as a man puts off a mask, and smiled. “Have no doubt,” said he. “Neither I nor man of mine shall lay a finger upon your husband. And now, madonna, you were best away, I think. You are overwrought.” ”

“ First was heard the awful cry: “The Duke is dead!” And then, as if by magic, there, on horseback, sat the duke himself, his brazen voice ringing above the din and confusion. “In there!” he shouted, flinging an arm towards the house. “In, I say; and see that not a man escapes you! It is the Envoy of Venice whom they have murdered, and they shall pay for it with their necks—whomsoever they may be!”
The house was already surrounded, and into Cesare’s net fell the four conspirators, together with two sbirri who were of the household of Sinibaldi, as their liveries showed. ”

“ Sinibaldi gently pushed the crucifix down the table towards him. “First upon that sacred symbol of our Redeemer ...” he was beginning, when Graziani pushed back his chair, and rose.
He knew enough. Here was for certain a conspiracy against the State or against the life of his lord, the Duke of Valentinois. It needed no more words to tell him that; and he was no fool to bind himself by oath to a silence that must make him a party to the treason. “Sirs,” said he, “it is not my way to thrust myself blindly into any business and make oath upon matters that are unknown to me. ”

“ Sinibaldi, tearing still at the buttons of his doublet, sprang desperately for the window, and wondered a moment whether he should risk drowning. Then he remembered that, after all, as the envoy of Venice he was inviolable, a man upon whom no finger was to be laid without provoking the resentment of the Republic. He had nothing to fear where nothing could be proved against him. Not even Graziani could have said enough to imperil the sacred person of an envoy; and Graziani, he was assured, would never say anything again. ”

“ After all, Cesare could no more than suspect. With definite knowledge the Duke must have acted in a more definite manner.
Reasoning thus, Sinibaldi recovered some of his assurance, murmured some words of gratitude and hints of his unworthiness, and submitted to have the cloak thrust upon him, and even a scarlet velvet cap—which, too, was Cesare’s own. Then he mounted the splendid charger that likewise—and further to do him honour—Cesare placed at his disposal. And all the while Messer Capello stood by, licking his lips to see so much deference paid the envoy of his government. ”

“ A whole Tuscan summer is in every flagon.”
Scarcely believing himself so easily out of his terrible position, wondering whether he were not perhaps dreaming, Sinibaldi sank into the chair that was set for him at the Duke’s side. The men-at-arms clattered out, the mimes were summoned to perform their comedy, and the evening wore merrily on to its conclusion, what time Cesare Borgia played the host to the Venetian prince, leaving him overwhelmed by the courtly charm in which no man of his day could surpass the Duke. ”

“ The Lord Ranieri resumed his seat at the table’s foot; at its head Prince Sinibaldi remained standing, and from the breast of his doublet, where two buttons were unfastened, he drew now a small ebony-and-ivory crucifix. “When we shall have made known to you the reason for which we sought your presence here to-night, Messer Graziani,” said he, “it shall be yours to determine whether you will lend us your aid in the undertaking that is afoot. Should you refuse, it shall be yours to depart as you have come. ”

“ Sinibaldi was for putting a dagger through the soldier’s windpipe and thus making quite sure of him, but he was suddenly checked by the horrible, vehement outcry of the mute, who had remained by the window, and by simultaneous blows upon the door below.
For a long moment the conspirators stood at gaze, smitten with sudden terror, whilst the blows upon the door were repeated and loud voices summoned them to open.
Ranieri swore thickly and horribly. “We are trapped! Betrayed!” ”

“ He defended himself desperately, intent upon gaining time. If he could but hold out for a few moments, his men would be there in answer to the signal of the broken window. With that intent he backed before them until his shoulders touched the tapestried wall. ”