XXV

WEwereupbetimes.Thetownwasours,exceptthecitadel.Checcohadgonetothefortress,whichstoodabovethetown,tooneside,andhadsummonedtheCastellantosurrender.Hehadrefused,asweexpectedbutwewerenotmuchtroubled,forwehadCaterinaandherchildreninourpower,andbytheirmeansthoughtwecouldgetholdofthecastle. CheccohadcalledameetingoftheCounciltodecidewhatshouldbedonewiththetown.Itwaspurelyameasureofpoliteness,forhehadalreadymadeuphismindandtakenstepsinaccordance.Withthetownsotroubled,thecitadelstillinouropponent'shands,andthearmiesofLodovicoMoroatMilan,itwashopelesstosuggeststandingaloneandCheccohaddecidedtoofferForlitothePope.Thiswouldgiveaprotectionagainstexternalenemiesandwouldnotgreatlyinterferewiththeinternalrelations.Therealpowerwouldbelongtothechiefcitizen,andCheccoknewwellenoughwhomthatwas.Further,thelaxgraspofthePopewouldsoonbeloosedbydeath,andintheconfusionofalongconclaveandachangeofrulers,itwouldnotbeimpossibletochangethestateofdependenceintorealliberty,andforCheccotoaddtherightsandtitlesoflordshiptothepower.OnthepreviousnighthehadsentamessengertotheProtonotarySavello,thepapalgovernorofCesena,withanaccountofwhathadhappenedandtheofferofthetown.Checcohadrequestedanimmediatereply,andwasexpectingiteveryminute. TheCouncilwascalledforteno'clock.AtnineCheccoreceivedSavello'ssecretconsent. ThePresidentoftheCouncilwasNiccoloTornielli,andheopenedthesittingbyremindinghishearersoftheirobject,andcallingfortheiropinions.Atfirstnoonewouldspeak.TheydidnotknowwhatwasinChecco'smind,andtheyhadnowishtosayanythingthatmightbeoffensivetohim.TheForlivesiareacautiousrace!AfterawhileanoldmangotupandtimidlyexpressedthethanksofthecitizensforthefreedomwhichCheccohadbestoweduponthem,suggestingalsothatheshouldspeakfirst.Theleadthusgive