sionthesubjectoftheproposedtax,andconsequentlyhadsentforhimtohearhisopiniononthesubject.
Hestoppedandlookedroundhiscourtiersobsequiouslyapplauded.Then,atoppositeendsoftheroom,doorsopened,andthrougheachfiledastringofsoldiersthecitizenslookedatoneanother,wondering.Aflourishoftrumpetswasheardinthepiazza,outside,andthetrampofsoldiers.Girolamowaitedatlastheproceeded,—
'Agoodprinceowesthistohissubjects—todonothingagainsttheirwillfreelyexpressedandthoughIcouldcommand,forIamplacedherebytheVicarofChristhimself,withabsolutepoweroveryourlivesandfortunes,yetsuchismyloveandaffectiontowardsyouthatIdonotdisdaintoaskyouradvice.'
Thecourtiersbrokeoutintoamurmurofsurpriseandself-congratulationathisinfinitegraciousnessthetrumpetsflourishedagain,andinthesucceedingsilencecouldbeheardcriesofcommandfromtheofficersinthesquare,whilefromthesoldiersstandingaboutthehalltherewasaclankofswordsandspurs.
Checcorosefromhisseat.HewaspaleandhealmostseemedtohesitateIwonderedifthesoldiershadhadtheeffectwhichGirolamointended.Thenhebegantospeak,quietly,ineven,well-turnedsentences,sothatonecouldseethespeechhadbeencarefullythoughtout.
HecalledtomindhisownaffectionforGirolamo,andthemutualfriendshipwhichhadsolacedmanyhoursofdoubtanddifficulty,andassuredhimofhisunalterablefidelitytohimselfandhisfamilythenheremindedhimofthelovebornebythepeopletowardstheirruler,andtheirconsciousnessofanequalloveonthepartoftheCounttowardsthemselves.HedrewapictureofthejoyinForliwhenfirstGirolamocametoit,andoftheenthusiasmcausedbythesightofhimorhiswifewalkingthroughthestreets.
Therewasalittleapplause,chieflyfromtheCount'ssuiteCheccopausedasifhehadcometotheendofhispreface,andweregatheringhimselfupfortherealmatterofhisspeech.Therewasdeadlysilenceinthehall,alleyeswerefixedonhim,andallmindswereaskingthemselves,'Whatwillhesay?'Girolamowasleaningforward,restinghischinonhishand,lookinganxious.Iwonderedifheregrettedthathehad