A little patience, and you shall see." Next, and with a brisker air, he addressed the four silent courtiers, "You heard him, sirs," he exclaimed, "How do you say that I shall deal with such a traitor ?" He waited some seconds for an answer, and it seemed to anger him that none came.

"Have you, then, no counsel for me ?" he demanded harshly.
"I had not thought," said Lodi hardily, "that this was a case in which your Highness needed counsel.

You were drawn to conclude that the Lord of Aquila was a traitor, but from what we have all heard, your Highness should now see that he is not." "Should I so ?" the Duke returned, standing still and fixing upon Fabrizio an eye that was dull as a snake's.

"Messer da Lodi, your loyalty is a thing that has given signs of wavering of late.

Now, if by the grace of God and His blessed saints I have ruled as a merciful prince who errs too much upon the side of clemency, I would enjoin you not to try that clemency too far.