"I was."

"You are my prisoner, in the Grand Duke's name. Get up, dress yourself
and follow me."

Il Nanno had betrayed me, or some other more inveterate enemy. I rose,
put on my shoes and a cloak, and told the officer I was ready. As I was
tying my shoe, Belviso whispered in my ear, "Courage, I follow." He bade
me a mock farewell, with tears and embraces, and I went out a prisoner.

I understood that I was to be taken at once to the Fortress of Volterra.
Now, indeed, this famous, infamous prison was to have me and bury me
alive.




CHAPTER XXXVII

I COMMIT A DOUBLE MURDER


Francis Antony Strelley, Tennis-ball of Fate, should be inscribed upon
my tomb, unless like the wandering Jew I were not destined to have any
other than that restless globe upon whose shelving surfaces I was for
ever to slip and slide. Here was I once more buffeted on to the road;
and yet I could not fairly pretend that there was no fault of mine
concerned in the stroke. O, fatal dower of beauty that was thine,
Aurelia! Could I say that, had I maintained my firm resolve of a few
days' date, and fixed my heart and inclination where they were due--