The fool was returned from the errand on which he had been despatched, and Francesco called him to his side.

Lowering his sword he received a paper from Peppe's hand.
Burning with indignation at having gone unheeded, Gonzaga stood gnawing his lip, whilst Valentina craned forward to catch Francesco's words.
"I have here a proof," he cried, "of what I tell you; proof of how little Gian Maria is prepared to carry out his threats of cannon.

It is that fellow Cappoccio has seduced you with his talk.

And you, like the sheep you are, let yourselves be driven by his foul tongue.

Now listen to the bribe that Gian Maria offers to one within these walls if he can contrive a means to deliver Roccaleone into his hands." And to Gonzaga's paralysing consternation, he heard Francesco read the letter with which Gian Maria had answered his proposed betrayal of the fortress.