9/19 "I have given the command of my guards to Martino Armstadt, and he has engaged for me a company of five hundred Swiss lanzknechte that were lately in the pay of the Baglioni of Perugia." "And you deem this security ?" rejoined Francesco, with a smile of scorn. "Win the hearts of your people. Let that be your buckler." "Hush!" whispered Gian Maria. Does not every act of my self-sacrificing life point to such an aim? |