'Assassination!' Then, after a pause, 'It is the only way open to me. Do
you remember Lorenzo's words? They have been with me every day, and I
have considered them very, very deeply: "Let Checco know that it is only
the fool who proposes to himself an end, when he cannot or will not
attain it; but the man who deserves the name of man marches straight to
the goal with clearness of mind and strength of will. He looks at things
as they are, putting aside all vain appearances, and when his
intelligence has shown him the means to his end, he is a fool if he
refuses them, and he is a wise man if he uses them steadily and
unhesitatingly." I know the end, and I will attain it. I know the means,
and I will use them steadily, without hesitation.'
'I am glad to hear you speak like that at last!' said Matteo. 'We shall
have plenty to help us. The Moratini will join at once. Jacopo Ronchi
and Lodovico Pansecchi are so bitter against the Count they will come
with us as soon as they hear you have decided to kill the enemy of us
all.'
'You are blind, Matteo. Do you not see what we must do? You mistake the
means for the end.'
'What do you mean?'
'The death of Girolamo is only a means. The end is further and higher.'
Matteo did not speak.
'I must keep my hands clean from any base motive. It must not seem that
I am influenced by any personal incentive. Nothing must come from me.
The idea of assassination must come from outside.'
'Whom do you--'
'I think Bartolomeo Moratini must propose it, and I will yield to his
instances.'
'Good! then I will go to him.'
'That will not do either. Neither you nor I must be concerned in it.
Afterwards it must be clear to all minds that the Orsi were influenced
solely by the public welfare. Do you see? I will tell you how it must
be. Filippo must help us. He must go to Bartolomeo, and from his great
affection for us talk of our danger and intreat Bartolomeo to persuade
me to the assassination. Do you understand, Filippo?'
'Perfectly!'
'Will you do it?'
'I will go to him to-morrow.'
'Wait till the news of the attempt has spread.'
I smiled at the completeness with which Checco had arranged everything;
he had evidently thought it all out. How had his scruples disappeared?
The blackness of the night was sinking before the dawn when we bade one
another good-night.