Return with us to-night, my lord, and to-morrow, with but twenty spears for escort, we shall ride into Babbiano and proclaim you Duke.

Nor need you fear the slightest opposition.

One man only of Babbiano--that same Masuccio whom you tell us that you saw to-night--remains faithful to Gian Maria; faithful because he and the fifty Swiss mercenaries at his heels are paid to be so.

Up, my lord! Let your own good sense tell you whether an honest man need scruple to depose a prince whose throne knows no defence beyond the hired protection of fifty foreign spears." A silence followed that impassioned speech.

Lodi remained standing, the others sat, their eager glances turned upon the Count, their ears anxiously alert for his reply.