It was known that the Count of Aquila stood high in the favour of Gian Maria, and the news of his sudden fall and banishment could not have reached Guidobaldo's niece, who had fled before the knowledge of it was in Urbino.

His name would awaken suspicion, and any story of disgrace and banishment might be accounted the very mask to fit a spy.

There was this sleek, venomous Gonzaga, whom she trusted and relied on, to whisper insidiously into her ear.
"My name," he said serenely, "is, as I have told you.

Francesco." "But you have another ?" quoth Valentina, interest prompting the question.
"Why, yes, but so closely allied to the first as to be scarce worth reciting.

I am Francesco Franceschi, a wandering knight." "And a true one, as I know." She smiled at him so sweetly that Gonzaga was enraged.
"I have not heard the name before," he murmured, adding: "Your father was---- ?" "A gentleman of Tuscany." "But not at Court ?" suggested Romeo.
"Why, yes, at Court." Then with a sly insolence that brought the blood to Francesco's cheeks, though to the chaste mind of Valentina's it meant nothing--"Ah!" he rejoined.