obtained a way for him. How can she have acted so as to give a colour to
this infamous scandal? True or false, it does not affect my love for
her. Still, my dearest, what shall I say? You keep me divided in two
halves. My heart is out of me; and if I had a will, I think I should be
harsh with you. You are absent from my mother at a time when we are
about to strike another blow. Go to her. It is kindness; it is charity:
I do not say duty. I remember that I did write harshly to you from
Brescia. Then our march was so clear in view that a little thing ruffled
me. Was it a little thing? But to applaud the Traitor now! To uphold
him who has spilt our blood only to hand the country over to the old
gaolers! He lent us his army like a Jew, for huge interest. Can you not
read him? If not, cease, I implore you, to think at all for yourself.

"Is this a lover's letter? I know that my beloved will see the love in
it. To me your acts are fair and good as the chronicle of a saint. I
find you creating suspicion--almost justifying it in others, and putting
your name in the mouth of a madman who denounces you. I shall not speak
more of him. Remember that my faith in you is unchangeable, and I pray
you to have the same in me.

"I sent you a greeting from the Chief. He marched in the ranks from
Bergamo. I saw him on the line of march strip off his coat to shelter a
young lad from the heavy rain. He is not discouraged; none are who have
been near him.

"Angelo is here, and so is our Agostino; and I assure you he loads and
fires a carbine much more deliberately than he composes a sonnet. I am
afraid that your adored Antonio-Pericles fared badly among our fellows,
but I could gather no particulars.