"They shall, they shall !" resounded from every side. "With the permission only of the citizens of Milan," replied Visconti, bowing low. "I shall be proud to enter those walls as a friend, which once defied the united chivalry of Germany, before the eyes of an Emperor." This allusion to so brilliant a passage in Milanese history was received with shouts of joy from every side; and preceded by a number of the most influential citizens, he at length entered the city, closely followed by his troops. : The news of his sudden approach had spread through every quarter; and in such detestation was his uncle held, that the utmost joy was testified throughout the city, at the report of his deposition his family, consisting of his wife and several sons, fled with the utmost precipitation; the garrison made not the slightest attempt at resistance, and not one solitary voice was raised in favour of the captive lord. As his nephew proceeded to the palace, the streets were filled with people, and the balconies were crowded with ladies, who showered flowers on the pro cession as it passed, and invoked blessings on the head of their new ruler. Visconti acknowledged with the utmost courtesy the greetings of the people, who appeared the more prepossessed in his favor, from the gravity of his demeanour, and the extreme simplicity of his dress. At length he arrived at his destination, and peaceably entered the palace of his ancestors; while long continued shouts of "No taxes, no imposts!-long live John Galeazzo Visconti, Count of Virtu and Lord of Milan!" rang through the crowded streets of the city. CHAPTER III. Why I can smile, and murder while I smile; And frame my face to all occasions. HENRY VI. "SEVEN hundred thousand florins of gold; and that is all my uncle's coffers contain, Antonio ?" "It is," replied the friar, who was alone with his master in a small cabinet of the palace. "Well, well, it is a goodly sum; though I have use for twice as much." As he spoke, he threw aside his pilgrim's robe, under which he wore a suit of strong chain armour. "There is nothing impossible to your Highness, in whom I know not whether to admire most, the courage which prompted you to undertake this expedition, or the address with which you have executed it." "Your flattery is too gross, sir friar," replied Visconti, coldly; "you know that I never appeared in the tilting-yard in my lifetime. Marry, I never had any fancy for the empty honours of the tournament. Yours is the first profession, Antonio; wealth and power, a mitre or a cardinal's hat, all to be won by a smooth tongue and a supple conscience, without the aid of pike or partizan." "Your Excellency is too severe,” replied the ecclesiastic, with a smile; "there is honesty." "Even among monks; well, I believe it ;but let us to business. It seems my uncle's wife has fled ?" "She has, my lord." "My cousins, too?" "All have fled." 66 Perhaps it is as well," replied Visconti, musingly; "the imprisonment of all the family would have seemed harsh. And thanks to my uncle's fame, they will not carry with them the sympathies of the Milanese." "And what is to be done with Lord Bernabo?" said the monk, enquiringly. "At present, nothing; he must remain in prison for a time," replied Visconti, in a careless tone. "But is there nothing to fear from your uncle's more distant friends—the Duke of Bavaria, for example?" 66 Nay, nay, misfortune has no friends. Think you that Stephen of Bavaria would cross the Alps to reinstate my uncle? Or would his brother-in-law, the Lord of Verona, take up arms in his cause? I see nothing to fear from any other quarter. The Lords of Padua and Verona have come at length to an open rupture; Genoa is at war, as usual, with herself; and Venice fights in no quarrels save her own.” "You have forgotten your Excellency's cousin, the Lord of Mantua." 66 True; Gonzaga is married to my uncle's daughter," said Visconti, thoughtfully. |