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.SavellosaidhewouldspeaktotheCountessandmakeherordertheCastellanto