'Sir, it has always been my hope that I should some day meet the
gentleman whose fame has reached me as the most talented, most beautiful
and most virtuous of his day.'
'Madam--' he interrupted.
'Sir, I beseech you bravely to bear your evil fortunes. Do you not know
that fortune is uncertain? If the city has been taken from you, it is
the will of God, and as a Christian you must with resignation submit
yourself to His decrees.'
It was the beginning of her revenge, and one could see how sweet it was.
The courtiers were sniggering at Caterina's speech, and Savello was the
picture of discomfort.
'Messer Savello,' she proceeded, 'on a previous meeting you made me some
very excellent admonitions on the will of God; now, notwithstanding
your order, I am going to be so bold as to give you some equally
excellent lessons on the same subject. If you will take your place by my
side, you will have every opportunity of examining the ways of the
Almighty, which, as you may remember you remarked, are inscrutable.'
Savello bowed and advanced to the place pointed out to him.