And so my life went on for a little while, filled with pleasure and
amusement. I was contented with my lot, and had no wish for change. The
time went by, and we reached the first week in April. Girolamo had
organised a great ball to celebrate the completion of his Palace. He had
started living in it as soon as there were walls and roof, but he had
spent years on the decorations, taking into his service the best artists
he could find in Italy; and now at last everything was finished. The
Orsi had been invited with peculiar cordiality, and on the night we
betook ourselves to the Palace.
We walked up the stately staircase, a masterpiece of architecture, and
found ourselves in the enormous hall which Girolamo had designed
especially for gorgeous functions. It was ablaze with light. At the
further end, on a low stage, led up to by three broad steps, under a
dais, on high-backed, golden chairs, sat Girolamo and Caterina Sforza.
Behind them, in a semicircle, and on the steps at each side, were the
ladies of Caterina's suite, and a number of gentlemen; at the back,
standing like statues, a row of men-at-arms.
'It is almost regal!' said Checco, pursing up his lips.
'It is not so poor a thing to be the Lord of Forli,' answered Matteo.
Fuel to the fire!
We approached, and Girolamo, as he saw us, rose and came down the steps.
'Hail, my Checco!' he said, taking both his hands. 'Till you had come
the assembly was not complete.'
Matteo and I went to the Countess. She had surpassed herself this night.
Her dress was of cloth of silver, shimmering and sparkling. In her hair
were diamonds shining like fireflies in the night; her arms, her neck,
her fingers glittered with costly gems. I had never seen her look so
beautiful, nor so magnificent. Let them say what they liked, Checco and
Matteo and the rest of them, but she was born to be a queen. How strange
that this offspring of the rough Condottiere and the lewd woman should
have a majesty such as one imagines of a mighty empress descended from
countless kings.
She took the trouble to be particularly gracious to us. Me she
complimented on some verses she had seen, and was very flattering in
reference to a pastoral play which I had arranged. She could not
congratulate my good Matteo on any intellectual achievements, but the
fame of his amours gave her a subject on which she could playfully
reproach him. She demanded details, and I left her listening intently to
some history which Matteo was whispering in her ear; and I knew he was
not particular in what he said.
I felt in peculiarly high spirits, and I looked about for someone on
whom to vent my good humour. I caught sight of Giulia. I had seen her
once or twice since my return to Forli, but had never spoken to her. Now
I felt sure of myself; I knew I did not care two straws for her, but I
thought it would please me to have a little revenge. I looked at her a
moment. I made up my mind; I went to her and bowed most ceremoniously.
'Donna Giulia, behold the moth!' I had used the simile before, but not
to her, so it did not matter.
She looked at me undecidedly, not quite knowing how to take me.
'May I offer you my arm,' I said as blandly as I could.
She smiled a little awkwardly and took it.
'How beautiful the Countess is to-night!' I said. 'Everyone will fall in
love with her.' I knew she hated Caterina, a sentiment which the great
lady returned with vigour. 'I would not dare say it to another; but I
know you are never jealous: she is indeed like the moon among the
stars.'
'The idea does not seem too new,' she said coldly.
'It is all the more comprehensible. I am thinking of writing a sonnet on
the theme.'
'I imagined it had been done before; but the ladies of Forli will
doubtless be grateful to you.'
She was getting cross; and I knew by experience that when she was cross
she always wanted to cry.
'I am afraid you are angry with me,' I said.
'No, it is you who are angry with me,' she answered rather tearfully.
'I? Why should you think that?'
'You have not forgiven me for--'
I wondered whether the conscientious Giorgio had had another attack of
morality and ridden off into the country.
'My dear lady,' I said, with a little laugh, 'I assure you that I have
forgiven you entirely. After all, it was not such a very serious
matter.'
'No?' She looked at me with a little surprise.