CHECCOledustoasmallerroom,atsomedistancefromthegreathallofthereceptionthen,turningtoamanIdidnotknow,hesaid,'DidyouhearthePiacentini?'
'Yes!'heansweredandforamomenttheylookedatoneanothersilently.
'Hewouldnothavebeensoboldwithoutgoodcause,'addedtheman.
IwastoldthathisnamewasLodovicoPansecchi,andthathewasasoldierintheCount'spay.
Checcoturnedroundandlookedatmesharply.Matteounderstoodwhathemeant,andsaid,'HavenofearofFilippoheisassafeasmyself.'
Checconodded,andmadeasigntoayouth,whoimmediatelyroseandcarefullyclosedthedoor.WesatstillforawhilethenCheccostoodupandsaidimpatiently,'Icannotunderstandit.'Hewalkedupanddowntheroom,stoppingatlastinfrontofme.
'Youhadneverseenthatmanbefore?'
'Never!'Ianswered.
'ThequarrelwasbroughtonsolelybyErcolehimself,'saidtheyouth,whomIfoundtobeAlessandroMoratini,abrotherofGiuliadall'Aste.
'Iknow,'saidChecco,'buthewouldneverhavedaredtobehavethusunlessheknewofsomedesignofGirolamo.'Hepausedamomenttothink,thenturningtomeagain,'Youmustnotchallengehim.'
'Onthecontrary,'Ireplied,'Imustchallengehimhehasinsultedme.'
'Idon'tcareaboutthat.Iwillnothaveyouchallengehim.'
'Thisconcernsmyselfalone.'
'Nonsense!Youareaguestofmyhouse,andforallIknowitisjustsuchanopportunityasthisthatGirolamoisseeking.'
'Idon'tunderstand,'Isaid.
'Listen,'saidChecco,sittingdownagain.'WhenSixtusobtainedpossessionofForliforhisnephew,GirolamoRiario,I,likethefoolIwas,didallIcouldtobringthetowntohisallegiance.Myfatherwasagainsttheplan,butIboredownhisoppositionandthrewthewholepowerofmyhouseonhisside.WithoutmehewouldneverhavebeenLordofForli.'
'Iremember,'saidMatteo.'YouusedSixtustokeeptheOrdelaffioutandyouthoughtGirolamowouldbeacatspawinourhands.'
'IdidnotgivethecityforloveofapersonIhadneverseeninmylife....Well,thiswaseightyearsago.Girolamotookofftheheaviesttaxes,grantedfavourstothetownandenteredinsolemnstate