XXXI

INthemorningthecouncilmetagainandresolvedthatthetownshouldreturntoitsoldobedience,andbysurrenderingwithoutconditionshopedtoreceivepardonforitsoffences.LodovicoMoroenteredintriumph,andgoingtothefortresswasreceivedbyCaterina,whocameforthfromthecitadelandwithhimproceededtothecathedraltohearmass.ThegoodForlivesiweregettingusedtoovationsastheCountesspassedthroughthestreetstheyreceivedherwithacclamation,throngingtheroadoneachside,blessingher,andhermother,andallherancestors.Shewentherwayasindifferentaswhenshehadcrossedthesamestreetsafewdaysbackamidtheexecrationsofherfaithfulsubjects.Thekeenobserversnoticedthefirmclosingofhermouth,whichbodednoparticulargoodtotheForlivesi,andconsequentlyredoubledtheirshoutsofjoy. TheprotonotarySavellohadmysteriouslydisappearedwhenthenewsofChecco'sflighthadbeenbroughthimbutCaterinawassooninformedthathehadtakenrefugeinaDominicanmonastery.Alightsmilebrokeoverherlipsassheremarked,— 'Onewouldratherhaveexpectedhimtotakerefugeinaconvent.' Thenshesentpeopletohimtoassurehimofhergoodwillandbeghimtojoinher.Thegoodmanturnedpaleattheinvitation,buthedarednotrefuseit.So,comfortinghimselfwiththethoughtthat