"Your orders, sir?" craved he that led them, his eyes wandering to the
still prostrate Count.

"Tie me up this dog," Gonzaga bade him. But before the fellow could move
a foot to carry out the order Valentina barred his way.

"You shall not," she commanded, and so transformed was she from the
ingenuous child that lately had talked with him, that Francesco gaped in
pure astonishment. "In my uncle's name, I bid you leave this gentleman
where he lies. He is a wounded knight whom I have been pleased to tend--
a matter which seems to have aroused Messer Gonzaga's anger against him."

Beltrame paused, and looked from Valentina to Gonzaga, undecided.

"Madonna," said Gonzaga, with assumed humility, "your word is law with
us. But I would have you consider that, what I bid Beltrame do is in the
interest of his Highness, whose territory is infested by these
vagabonding robbers. It is a fact that may not have reached you in your
convent retreat, no more than has sufficient knowledge reached you yet--
in your incomparable innocence--to distinguish between rogues and honest
men. Beltrame, do my bidding."

Valentina's foot tapped the ground impatiently, and into her eyes there
came a look of anger that heightened her likeness to her martial uncle.
But Peppe it was who spoke.

"For all that there seem to be fools enough, already, meddling in this
business," he said, in tones of mock lament, "permit that I join their
number, Ser Romeo, and listen to my counsel."