XVIII. THE LETTER

XIX. DOOMED

XX. THE SUNSET

XXI. AVE CAESAR!




PART I

FLOWER OF THE QUINCE



CHAPTER I

THE CARDINAL OF VALENCIA


For three days I had been cooling my heels about the Vatican, vexed by
suspense. It fretted me that I should have been so lightly dealt with
after I had discharged the mission that had brought me all the way from
Pesaro, and I wondered how long it might be ere his Most Illustrious
Excellency the Cardinal of Valencia might see fit to offer me the
honourable employment with which Madonna Lucrezia had promised me that he
would reward the service I had rendered the House of Borgia by my