years already been exposed to rough usage of this kind at the hands of
every man above the rank of groom? And had I once rebelled in act as I
did in soul, and used the strength wherewith God endowed me to punish my
ill-users, a whip would have reminded me into what sorry slavery had I
sold myself when I put on the motley.

It had been snowing for the past hour, and the ground was white in the
courtyard when we descended.

At our appearance there was a movement of serving-men and a fall of
hoofs, muffled by the snow. Some held torches that cast a ruddy glare
upon the all-encompassing whiteness, and a groom was leading forward the
horse that was destined to bear me. I donned my broad-brimmed hat, and
wrapped my cloak about me. Some murmurs of farewell caught my ears, from
those minions with whom I had herded during my three days at the Vatican.
Then Messer del' Orca thrust me forward.

"Mount, Fool, and be off," he rasped.

I mounted, and turned to him. He was a surly dog; if ever surly dog wore
human shape, and the shape was the only human thing about Captain Ramiro.

"Brother, farewell," I simpered.

"No brother of yours, Fool," snarled he.

"True--my cousin only. The fool of art is no brother to the fool of
nature."

"A whip!" he roared to his grooms. "Fetch me a whip."