9/20 After ransacking the castle for him, he found him pacing the vine-alley in the garden in animated conversation with Valentina. At his approach the courtier's manner grew more subdued, and his brows sullen. The courtier, surprised, looked up. "Where have you hidden your store of powder ?" "Powder ?" faltered Gonzaga, chilled by a sudden apprehension. "Is there none in the armoury ?" "Yes--one small cask, enough to load a cannon once or twice, leaving us nothing for our hand-guns. |