We were now at the foot of the staircase.
"Boccadoro," said he, planting himself before me, and eyeing me with eyes that were very full of malice, "you will recall the punishment I promised you if I came to discover it was you had thwarted me in Pesaro.
It is the second time you have fooled Ramiro del' Orca.

There does not live the man who can boast that he did it thrice, nor will I risk it that you be that man.

Make your peace with Heaven, for at sunset--in an hour's time--you hang.

There is one little thing that might save you even yet, and if you find life sweet, you would do well to pray that that little thing may come to pass." I answered him nothing, but I bowed my head in token that I had heard and he signed to the men to proceed with me, whilst turning on his heel he stepped down the hall again to where Madonna Paola, overcome with weakness, had sunk upon a stool.
As I was leaving the gallery I had a last glimpse of her, sitting there with drawn face and haggard eyes that followed me as I passed from her sight, whilst Ramiro del' Orca stood beside her murmuring words that did not reach me.

His so-called courtiers and his men-at-arms were trooping out of the room, no doubt in obedience to his dismissal..