Thus much he protested frankly.
"Now attend to me, young sir," was the other's answer.

"The matter stands thus: If I can repair to certain friends of mine with the information that an affair is afoot, the particulars of which I may not give them, but in which I am to lead them myself, sharing such risk as there may be, I do not doubt but that by this time to-morrow I can have a score of them enrolled--such is their confidence in Ercole Fortemani.
But if I take them to enter a service unknown, under a leader equally unknown, the forming of such a company would be a mighty tedious matter." This was an argument to the force of which Gonzaga could not remain insensible.

After a moment's consideration, he offered Ercole fifty gold florins in earnest of good faith and the promise of pay, thereafter, at the rate of twenty gold florins a month for as long as he should need his services and Ercole, who in all his free-lancing days had never earned the tenth of such a sum, was ready to fall upon this most noble gentleman's neck, and weep for very joy and brotherly affection.
The matter being settled, Gonzaga produced a heavy bag which gave forth a jangle mighty pleasant to the ears of Fortemani, and let it drop with a chink upon the table.
"There are a hundred florins for the equipment of this company.

I do not wish to have a regiment of out-at-elbow tatterdemalions at my heels." And his eye swept in an uncomplimentary manner over Ercole's apparel.
"See that you dress them fittingly." "It shall be done, Magnificent," answered Ercole, with a show of such respect as he had not hitherto manifested.

"And arms ?" "Give them pikes and arquebuses, if you will; but nothing more.