More will I do; I will seek at his hands the office of Gonfalonier, and if he grant it me; I will so reorganise our forces, and enter into such alliances with our neighbours as shall ensure, at least in some degree, the safety of our State." Still they endeavoured to cajole him, but he held firm against their efforts, until in the end, with a sorrowful mien, Da Lodi thanked him for his promise to use his influence with Gian Maria.
"For this, at least, we thank your Excellency, and on our part we shall exert such power as we still wield in Babbiano to the end that the high office of Gonfalonier be conferred upon you.

We had preferred to see you fill with honour a position higher still, and should you later come to consider----" "Dismiss your hopes of that," put in the Count, with a solemn shake of his head.

And then, before another word was uttered, young Fanfulla degli Arcipreti leapt of a sudden to his feet, his brows knit, and an expression of alarm spreading upon his comely face.

A second he remained thus; then, going swiftly to the door, he opened it, and stood listening, followed by the surprised glances of the assembled company.
But it needed not the warning cry with which he turned, to afford them the explanation of his odd behaviour.

In the moment's tense silence that had followed his sudden opening of the door they had caught from without the distant fall of marching feet..