XXVI

AFTERawhiletheformalembassysenttoCesenacamebackwiththemessagethattheProtonotarySavellohadbeenfilledwithdoubtsastowhetherheshouldacceptthetownornobutseeingtheForlivesifirmintheirdesiretocomeunderthepapalrule,andbeingconvincedthattheirpiouswishhadbeeninspiredbythemostHighRulerofKings,hehadnotventuredtocontradictthemanifestwillofHeaven,andthereforewouldcomeandtakepossessionofthecityinperson. Checcosmiledalittleasheheardoftheworthyman'sdoubtsandtheargumentsusedbytheambassadorstopersuadehimbuthefullyagreedwithMonsignorSavello'sdecision,thinkingthereasonsverycogent.... Theprotonotarywasreceivedwithallduehonour.Savellowasamiddle-sized,stoutman,withagreatroundbellyandafatredface,double-chinnedandbull-necked.Hehadhugeearsandtinyeyes,likepig'seyes,buttheywereverysharpandshrewd.Hiseyebrowswerepaleandthin,sothatwiththeenormousexpanseofshavencheekhisfacehadalookofalmostindecentnakedness.Hishairwasscantyandhiscrownquitebaldandshiny.Hewasgorgeouslydressedinviolet.Afterthegreetingsandnecessarycourtesies,hewasinformedofthestateofthingsinForli.HewasvexedtofindthecitadelstillinthehandsoftheCastellan,whohadbeensummonedwithgreatcourtesytosurrendertothepapalenvoy,butwithoutanycourtesyatallhadverystoutlydeclined.SavellosaidhewouldspeaktotheCountessandmakeherordertheCastellantoopenhisgates.IwassentforwardtoinformCaterinaofthelastoccurrencesandoftheprotonotary'sdesireforaninterview. TheCountesshadreceivedapartmentsintheOrsiPalace,anditwasinoneoftheseroomsthatthegoodSavellowasushered. Hestoppedonthethreshold,andliftinguphisarmstretchedouttwofingers,andinhisthick,fatvoice,said,— 'Thepeaceo