Testore 
 
 The Romance 
 ot an Italian 
 Fiddle- M.;--
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 Gift of 
 Mrs. Lawrence C. Lockley 
 
 MUSIC 
 
 1 ""
 
 TESTORE
 
 TESTORE TAKES THE CRIPPLE'S FIDDLE 
 From a drawmg by Gladys Holman, A.R.A.
 
 TESTORE 
 
 THE ROMANCE OF AN ITALIAN 
 FIDDLE-MAKER 
 
 BY 
 
 PAT CANDLER 
 
 NEW YORK 
 E. P. BUTTON & COMPANY 
 
 MCMXVI
 
 Music 
 Library 
 
 ML 
 
 TO MY FRIEND 
 (JERTRUDE WADE OF WESTON-SUPER-MARE 
 
 Who holds and cherishes the fiddle, 1707, so beloved 
 by Carlo Giuseppe Testore of Milano, and which 
 played so great a part in his life. Through a vision 
 of this said fiddle I was led to secure it for my 
 friend, though at that time I was ignorant of its 
 existence, and did not even know that such a 
 fiddle-maker had lived. 
 
 1S216SO
 
 FOREWORD 
 
 To THE READER. 
 
 During the summer of 1909, eight 
 months after I had been led through a vision 
 to procure the fiddle, 1707, mentioned in this 
 story, and which was so named because it was 
 completed in that year, for Gertrude Wade of 
 Weston-super-Mare, there was vouchsafed to 
 me dreams of its maker which were so vivid, 
 partaking so little of the evanescent nature of 
 dreams, that I was compelled to answer the call 
 by weaving them into a life-story of Carlo 
 Giuseppe Testore, fiddle-maker of Milano. 
 These dreams, or visions, came at various hours, 
 mostly after a heavy day's work, though during 
 seven weeks' stay in The Hague, August to 
 September, 1909, when I was free to wander 
 alone, and at will, long hours, they, with other 
 dreams of bygone centuries and people, became 
 more frequent and still more vivid. Several 
 
 friends, musical and otherwise, listened so 
 
 vii
 
 viii FOREWORD 
 
 keenly to the narration of them that I was 
 encouraged to hope that perhaps strangers, 
 particularly lovers of music, and all art in its 
 purest and highest form, would likewise enjoy 
 this biographical story, the outcome of these 
 
 dreams. 
 
 PAT CANDLER
 
 TESTORE 
 
 PART I 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 MY home was in Italy, and I loved it well. 
 
 I was a passionate, impulsive boy, nay, man, 
 for at eighteen I was a man, a babe had lain in 
 my arms, and I was a father. 
 
 The dates of the years of my life matter 
 not, since this is but a story of one who has 
 lived, suffered, and passed on. 
 
 Ah ! my home. It was such a pleasant 
 place, built on the slope of a long hill and 
 surrounded by vineyards. 
 
 One room was my own. Its window looked 
 towards the west, and when the sun sank low 
 with his robes of splendour around him, I 
 would drop my tools, and gaze at the glories 
 of the sunset, my heart filled with the vague 
 yearnings which none can express in words. 
 
 And oft, while thus I stood, the voice of
 
 2 TESTORE 
 
 my mother would be heard, calling, "Carlo 
 mio, thy supper waits." And, if my heart 
 was black with anger, because my work had 
 not been good, I would not heed her words. 
 
 Soon the door would open, and a little maid 
 with dark eyes and curly hair would enter, 
 bearing in one hand a plate on which were 
 grapes, and in the other a goblet of red wine. 
 
 My bitter mood would soften, for I loved 
 la mia bimba^ and, sitting down, I would take 
 her on my knees, while she, throwing one arm 
 around my neck, would set to feeding me with 
 the grapes, yea, to the very last one. 
 
 Then with a ringing laugh of joy, she would 
 run to the bench on which were scattered pieces 
 of wood, and lifting the one which she thought 
 had caused my misery, she would bring it to 
 me to kiss, for thus in her sweet childish way 
 she sought to dispel my morose mood. 
 
 This done, Fanciullina would pick up her 
 skirt, and dropping a curtsy, would reward 
 me for my smile by singing a song. 
 
 I could see the tiny throat swelling as her 
 voice, so true and pure, rose and fell. Her 
 eyes would shine like diamonds, and the 
 heaviness of my heart would depart. Down 
 on my knees I would go, and clasping her 
 wildly to my heart, would let the tears fall
 
 TESTORE 3 
 
 which washed away the gloomy thoughts that 
 so oft assailed me, turning my hours of work 
 into deep despair. 
 
 When I again took up my tools, the child 
 would slip out of the room, leaving me much 
 the better for her visit. 
 
 But not for long was la mia bimba spared 
 to shed her soothing influence upon her father, 
 for she fell sick, and she died. The world 
 possessed no joys for me. I could not work. 
 I could not play. 
 
 Fanciullina had gone, and I was not there 
 at her passing, for the Duca Visconti had sent 
 for me. He kept me at his court for one, 
 two, three days, and with smiles I answered 
 his many questions. He praised me much, 
 presenting me with a costly ring, yet all the 
 while my heart was breaking ; but who at that 
 grand court would have understood my grief ? 
 
 My child had not known me when I kissed 
 her " Addio," for she lay moaning with pain 
 on her little couch, and I, who loved her so 
 dearly, had to go, since in those days to set at 
 naught the commands of the Grand Duke 
 meant persecution. 
 
 The fourth morning saw me riding as one 
 possessed. Ah, the good God, whom then I 
 despised, must have sent His Angels to keep
 
 4 TESTORE 
 
 me safe, for the roads were rough, and robbers 
 numerous. 
 
 It was a long journey, often taking three 
 days, but I accomplished it in two, and the 
 time seemed an Eternity. 
 
 At last the little home was before me. 
 
 Up the hill 1 hurried the beast, for what 
 cared I for his weariness ? Yet, when I drew 
 rein before the partly closed door, I feared 
 to call aloud, but, leaping to the ground, I 
 entered. Neither voice, nor sound, greeted 
 me. Rigid I stood, afraid to break the silence, 
 dreading I knew not what. And the dread 
 deepened when I became aware of a low mur- 
 muring in my room of fiddles. Towards it 
 I staggered, feeling as though heavy hands 
 pressed upon my shoulders, yet, ere they had 
 fallen there, had they pierced me to the heart, 
 and, as a man drunken with fermented wine, I 
 stumbled in. 
 
 There, on the bench where so oft Fanciullina 
 had sought for a portion of my work that I 
 might kiss it and make friends, stood a coffin. 
 
 No words could express my anguish. 
 
 Devils tugged at my heart. Fain would I 
 have spoken, if only to rave, but speech was 
 denied me. 
 
 Afterwards they told me that I had remained
 
 TESTORE 5 
 
 motionless, with glassy eyes, and heaving 
 chest. 
 
 None dare speak, but my mother came 
 towards me, and laid her hand on mine ; I 
 flung it off, and, with a bitter cry, fell senseless. 
 
 For many days I lay stricken by fever. 
 Then, one evening, at my favourite hour of 
 sunset, I opened my eyes to consciousness, and 
 saw my mother bending over me. She held 
 to my lips some drink which I took, and 
 straightway fell into a deep sleep. 
 
 When again I awoke, I asked no questions, 
 but I let the days glide into weeks before I 
 showed the slightest interest in anything, oft 
 speaking not for hours at a stretch. I took 
 the nourishment prepared for me by my 
 mother, but I uttered no words of gratitude to 
 her for her loving care, for my heart was so 
 torn with grief that my tongue refused to 
 speak. She even brought to my bedside some 
 of my handicraft, thinking thus to arouse me 
 from my melancholy mood ; but, shutting my 
 eyes, I would not glance at it. 
 
 As I lay thus one afternoon, when the heat 
 of the day was passing into the cool evening 
 hours, my mother came to me. 
 
 " Carlo," said she, " thy child left a message 
 for thee. Wouldst thou not hear it ? "
 
 6 TESTORE 
 
 Gently my mother spoke, yet her voice 
 grated on my ear like a badly tuned string. 
 
 " Fanciullina would be glad, for she bade 
 me tell thee as soon as ye returned." 
 
 Naught answered I, yet my eyes must have 
 shown my desire to hear la mia bimbas words, 
 for my mother continued, though I turned my 
 head from her lest she might read upon my 
 face the agony of my heart. 
 
 " She awoke from her fever on the fifth day 
 of her illness, and asked straightway for thee. 
 We dare not lie to her, but told her that 
 the Duca Visconti had sent for thee, and that 
 thou hadst to go. So well she understood 
 that thou durst not disobey his summons, that 
 instead of fretting, she said sweetly, * I will 
 wait, for Babbo shall see me again.' 
 
 "Towards evening, we saw that she was 
 sinking. All night we sat by her, but as day 
 broke, she, reviving a little, begged us to 
 carry her to thy room of fiddles. 
 
 " ' I want Babbo to find me there,' she 
 pleaded. 
 
 ' We did as she wished, and when we had 
 placed her comfortably, she fell asleep. 
 
 " When she awoke, she asked for thy tools, 
 and the wood at which thou hadst wrought 
 ere she fell sick. Her little hands could
 
 TESTORE 7 
 
 scarce hold them and soon she lay back 
 exhausted. 
 
 "Again she slumbered, but barely an hour, 
 and then we saw that Death had kissed her, 
 and that our little one must leave us. So 
 weak was her voice when she tried to speak 
 to me that I did but catch her feeble whisper, 
 ' Babbo shall see his Fanciullina again.' ' 
 
 My mother paused, but I turned not my 
 head. Neither spoke I a word. 
 
 " Babbo shall see Fanciullina again." 
 
 Cruelly the words mocked me. 
 
 Yet, though I felt the utter hopelessness of 
 the message, into my heart there dropped a 
 a seed of belief. 
 
 Perhaps, perhaps, and scoffer, unbeliever 
 that I was, and always had been, this seedlet 
 struck soil and grew. 
 
 To everyone's surprise, I mended rapidly 
 from that hour, and as soon as I was able, I got 
 up and insisted on moving to Milano. There 
 I tried to labour at my handicraft as in the 
 old days when my child lived, but work I 
 could not. The house so oppressed me that 
 I spent long hours in the open, alone and 
 miserable. 
 
 The ray of hope that Fanciullina's message 
 had awakened in me, died for the time, for, tired
 
 8 TESTORE 
 
 of the awful loneliness, I sought companions, 
 and for a while became their boon comrade in 
 many a dissipated scene. Not that this was 
 new to me, for I had been wild enough, God 
 knows, in my early youth, until the child had 
 influenced me for the better. 1 had loved my 
 wife in a passionate, selfish manner, but had 
 already begun to weary of her, and might 
 have left her for another, .had not Death 
 taken her when la mia bimba was but a week 
 old. 
 
 Even at that tender age, the little one 
 had fascinated me. She was so pretty, nay, 
 beautiful, her head covered with the tiniest 
 of black curls, her eyes fringed with long 
 lashes. 
 
 Bewildered and paralysed, I gazed at her as 
 she lay sleeping, the living beside the dead, 
 for my wife had just breathed her last, ere I 
 realised that Death was so near. 
 
 The babe opened its eyes, and uttered a 
 piteous wail. Stooping, I lifted it into my 
 arms, and from that hour we were friends. 
 I loved to have her near me, and as often as 
 not, she slept by my bench whilst I wrought 
 at my craft. 
 
 Ah, never had Carlo Giuseppe Testore a 
 cleaner record of his deeds and thoughts than
 
 TESTORE 9 
 
 during those five years in which his child was 
 his constant companion. 
 
 Now, without her restraining influence, 
 dark, indeed, was my future. The scenes of 
 beauty which were around me, the glory of 
 the setting sun, gave me no pleasure. 
 
 And ever two pictures haunted me. 
 
 I lived again and again those hours when, 
 perforce, I waited on the Duca Visconti while 
 my child lay at the point of death ; I recalled 
 his suave words, and the flattering speeches 
 of the courtiers, who cared not whether I 
 lived or died. 
 
 For the while I had been the new craze, 
 and that because the Duca was a patron of 
 art, and he deemed himself to be a judge of 
 my handicraft. 
 
 Many were the fiddle-makers of that time 
 whose sole ambition was to stand before him, 
 and to me the honour had fallen. 
 
 Honour ! Bah ! I cared not for it since the 
 cost had been so dear, and I would laugh 
 aloud in sheer hardness of heart. 
 
 That picture with its taunting memories 
 would fade, and my room of fiddles in the 
 old home without the city would appear before 
 my eyes, and ever on the bench rested that 
 coffin with the still form within it, and again
 
 io TESTORE 
 
 Fanciullina's last words, " Babbo shall see me 
 again," would beat upon my weary brain till, 
 when I could bear it no longer, I would seek 
 to deaden my grief by any revelling that 
 crossed my path.
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 IT was a sultry day in July. For hours 
 I had lain under a tree in a lonely spot with 
 these memories strong upon me when a sound 
 of running footsteps disturbed my thoughts. 
 Startled and surprised, I sat up, for the road, if 
 road it might be called, was but little frequented, 
 and the way to the city lay to the left. 
 
 Within a few yards of the tree which had 
 sheltered me during the noontide heat, there 
 was a sharp bend so that I could not see who 
 thus hurriedly approached, but in a moment 
 there appeared a woman, no mean peasant of 
 the soil, but a lady of birth and rank. 
 
 She stretched out her hands to me. " Save 
 me, oh save me ! " she panted. 
 
 Springing to my feet, I drew my sword from 
 its sheath, prepared to defend the distressed 
 Signorina, who now seized my arm whilst she 
 repeated in trembling tones : " Oh, save me 
 from him, for he is^a monster, a devil, and I 
 dare not stay with him." 
 
 I freed myself of her hold for a tall man 
 
 ii
 
 12 TESTORE 
 
 was rapidly clearing the space 'twixt him and 
 us, and, as the stranger sank terrified and 
 exhausted to the ground, I placed myself 
 before her. 
 
 Her pursuer halted, then burst into an 
 innocent laugh. 
 
 "Dost think," he mocked, "that I cross 
 swords with a maker of wooden toys which 
 are fit only for those who live close to silk 
 petticoats ? " 
 
 And again he gave way to his mirth. 
 
 In a flash I knew him for Conte Alfonso, 
 half Spanish, half French, a man who had 
 won a name for his famous sword-play. 
 
 He was by no means a favourite of the 
 Duca Visconti, yet, since he was a useful 
 go-between 'twixt certain courts and courtiers, 
 he lived, and grew fat. 
 
 Strong and handsome, he won the hearts of 
 many by his very audacity. This, with a 
 certain fascination of manner, had enabled him 
 to win through many an intrigue where 
 another had been condemned to death. 
 
 I had seen him during those awful days 
 when I had awaited on the Grand Duke. 
 Now when we stood face to face as foes, I 
 answered naught to his insolent words, but 
 remained on guard.
 
 TESTORE 13 
 
 Perhaps my cool contempt attracted his 
 attention, for his laughter died away, and 
 he stared me in the eyes. What he read 
 therein, 1 cannot tell, but my sins were white 
 compared with his, for his countenance 
 told me much as thus we gazed on one 
 another. 
 
 So still were we that I heard the rustle of 
 a leaf as it dropped to the ground, and the 
 quick breathing of the stranger as she crouched 
 on the ground beside me. 
 
 Then the silence of that fair place was 
 broken by the clash of steel, for the Conte 
 Alfonso made a sudden onrush, and we 
 fought till the sweat rolled heavily down our 
 faces. 
 
 At last, he drew blood from my left shoulder, 
 and the sight of it did but whet his appetite 
 for more. Howbeit it was only a slight 
 wound. 
 
 Hard pressed was I till my adversary, 
 making too sure of victory, became careless. 
 Thus the chance was mine, for, failing in his 
 intent to parry a thrust, I pierced him to 
 the heart. 
 
 Once more there was silence. 
 
 Again a leaf dropped, this time on the face 
 of the dead. Brushing it off, I turned to the
 
 i 4 TESTORE 
 
 woman who had risen from the ground. She 
 gazed for a while on the still form, and then 
 began to weep. And her tears awoke me to 
 the fact that I had slain a man. 
 
 Somewhat angrily I said : " You asked me 
 to save you from him, and I have but obeyed 
 your command." 
 
 Yet she only sobbed on in a piteous heart- 
 broken way. 
 
 " Signorina is like all les gran dame. They 
 love that which is beyond their reach. Conte 
 Alfonso is dead, therefore he will trouble you 
 no more. When alive you hated and feared 
 him, now that he is gone, you mourn for 
 him. Bah ! les gran dame are difficult to 
 please." 
 
 She sought to check her tears. 
 
 " You know his name. He " this 
 
 word was said with much effort, "he was no 
 friend of mine, and if you are of his kind, 
 Heaven help me." 
 
 " I am not of his kind." 
 
 The scorn and contempt with which I uttered 
 these words seemed as though they lifted a 
 burden from her mind. 
 
 She turned to me, and laying her hand on 
 my arm, said fervently, Madre di Dio, I 
 thank thee ! "
 
 TESTORE 15 
 
 Then doubt and perplexity clouded her 
 face. 
 
 She glanced at me with a look that spoke of 
 recognition, yet held the fear that I was not 
 the one for whom she took me. 
 
 " Who are you ? " she asked slowly. 
 
 " A maker, as he said, of wooden toys." 
 
 I spoke bitterly, for my pride had been 
 sorely wounded ; but, at these words, she only 
 tightened her grasp on my arm, saying 
 
 " You are not Carlo Giuseppe Testore, 
 who played before the Duca Visconti ? I 
 thought " 
 
 She stayed her words, but I awaited. 
 
 " Continue, Signorina," I said at length. 
 
 " You are like unto him, and yet- 
 
 again doubt clouded her face, " you say you 
 are Testore." 
 
 I bowed, and perchance, something of my 
 old self showed in my countenance, for hers 
 changed to a look of belief. 
 
 " Oh ! " cried she, " what will you do ? " 
 
 " Nay, rather," I answered, " what will you 
 do ? " ' 
 
 In reply she pointed in the direction from 
 whence she had come. 
 
 " The horses are there," said she, " and not 
 many miles distant there is a convent which
 
 !6 TESTORE 
 
 will shelter me. I know the Abbess well. 
 And you must leave me." 
 
 Pausing, she looked on the still form lying 
 at our feet. 
 
 " He is dead thus our secret is safe 
 and I shall be seen no more at the Duca 
 Visconti's court. No one will ever suspect 
 you." 
 
 " You cannot ride alone. The convent is 
 farther than you think. Moreover, the day 
 draws to its close." 
 
 " 1 must ! 1 must ! " She gazed now on my 
 sword, and shuddered. Then turned she her 
 head. 
 
 Presently I spoke 
 
 " See," and 1 held out the weapon, spotless 
 before her eyes; "let us go." 
 
 This time it was she who assented silently ; 
 and, without another word, we set our faces 
 towards the spot where the horses stood 
 awaiting their riders. Yet, when I had gone 
 a few steps, I looked backwards, and saluted 
 my enemy, for he had fought well, and my 
 hatred of him had passed. 
 
 I know not if Signorina noticed my action, 
 for she did not speak of it ; but when we 
 reached the horses she held out her hand. 
 
 "Addio!"
 
 TESTORE 17 
 
 " Nay," said I, " not yet need we say fare- 
 well, for I ride with you to the convent 
 gate." 
 
 So we mounted, she her horse, and I his, 
 and rode away from that place.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 THE road was deserted, and it was as well 
 that it was so. Presently my companion reined 
 in her horse closer to mine. 
 
 I thank thee ! " 
 
 Turning in my saddle, I looked at her ; 
 perhaps my eyes told of my rapidly awakening 
 interest in her, for hers fell from before my 
 glance. 
 
 The daylight faded ; night would soon be 
 upon us, and still we were silent save for a 
 few remarks concerning the way. 
 
 The nature of her thoughts I cannot know, 
 but I, after her few words of gratitude, forgot 
 the dead, for now my mind dwelt only on the 
 beautiful stranger who rode at my side with 
 her eyes fixed steadily before her. 
 
 At whiles she patted her horse, speaking 
 endearing words to him, at which the beast, 
 twitching his ears, would whinny in reply. 
 
 More than once she half turned in her 
 saddle, as if wishful to talk, but repented ere 
 the words left her lips. 
 18
 
 TESTORE 19 
 
 Truly we were a strange pair. 
 
 And now, an amazing thought assailed me. 
 Why not prevail upon her to join her fortune 
 with mine ? 
 
 Before the convent walls were reached I had 
 planned a reckless deed. She should come 
 with me. The world was large, and I was not 
 penniless, for my father had left me several 
 vineyards, so that 1 was not entirely dependent 
 upon my craft. 
 
 True, one of the largest of them had been 
 sold in order to pay for some of my extravagant 
 debts. 
 
 Bah ! my thoughts took another turn. 
 
 This Signorina was possibly a Contessa, and 
 thus would spurn my simple name. Besides 
 
 It may be that, angered at these thoughts 
 which possessed me, I vented some of my 
 temper upon my steed, for he reared and 
 plunged so wildly, that it was some time before 
 I could soothe him. 
 
 Signorina had ridden forwards, seemingly 
 indifferent to me and my doings, but when 
 again we rode side by side she spake. 
 
 " So Carlo Giuseppe Testore is a good 
 horseman as well as a swordsman. Of what 
 other accomplishment does he boast ? " 
 
 " Have I boasted of these ? "
 
 20 TESTORE 
 
 She reddened. 
 
 "Forgive me. I spoke heedlessly, yet my 
 lips belied my heart, for I know you for a 
 brave man." 
 
 "You know me for a brave man," repeated 
 I. " How won you that knowledge ? " 
 
 Her eyes fell as she said, "The hour is 
 late, and I fear that the convent gate will be 
 locked." 
 
 " It is an easy enough matter to arouse the 
 portress," I answered, " but ride on our way 
 we shall not till you reply." 
 
 Fearlessly, but yet appealing, she looked 
 on me. 
 
 " I am so weary." 
 
 But I only tightened my hold on her rein, 
 and repeated my question. 
 
 " So Testore is a tyrant as well as a courageous 
 man. Yet it was not for naught that I watched 
 him during his enforced stay at court." Her 
 voice changed from its tone of raillery into that 
 which bespoke of pity, and sympathy. " I do 
 not think ; I know." She laughed softly, then 
 continued : " Ever since I left the days of 
 childhood behind me I have sought to read the 
 thoughts of those I meet, and, when you came 
 to play before the Duca Visconti, I could read 
 upon your face that some grim trouble pulled
 
 TESTORE 21 
 
 at your heartstrings. There was a hidden 
 ache in every word you uttered, each smile was 
 followed by a twinge of pain." 
 
 My hand fell from her bridle while my face 
 paled. 
 
 " Forgive me. I meant not to probe un- 
 healed wounds." 
 
 Bitterly I laughed. 
 
 " Was she very beautiful, this lady for whom 
 you mourn ? " 
 
 I would that I had told her then, but ever I 
 trusted not those who, dressed in fine raiment, 
 bedecked with jewels, lived at the many gay 
 courts of Italy. 
 
 So I held my tongue, but I urged my beast 
 on so furiously that she had difficulty in keeping 
 up with me, and thus, without another word, 
 we reached the convent. 
 
 She held out her hand in farewell. Silently 
 I took it in mine, then drew back behind a tree 
 to watch her entry. 
 
 Quickly one opened in answer to her knock, 
 but as she passed through the gateway, she 
 gave a swift glance backwards ere the heavy 
 gate was swung to, and barred.
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 FOR a while I remained lost in thought, 
 then I turned my horse's head and went back 
 along the track which we two had ridden. 
 
 Presently I left it, and, still plunged in 
 meditation, * I rode across a wide space of 
 rough stubble land which led me to a great 
 wood. 
 
 Here I dismounted, leaving the horse free to 
 wander homeward if he would, for I had no 
 further need of him, also I might chance on 
 one who knew the beast ; thus would I place 
 my life in jeopardy, for who would believe me 
 if I said that the Conte Alfonso had met his 
 death in fair fight ? 
 
 Plunging into the depths of the wood, distant 
 voices fell upon my ears. Cautiously I stole 
 in the direction of these sounds, and came upon 
 a band of gypsies, who, encamped for the night, 
 were enjoying their evening meal. And I 
 knew them for my friends. 
 
 Once I had done them a service, and they, 
 in return, had taught me many of their secrets. 
 
 22
 
 TESTORE 23 
 
 More than once I had wandered abroad with 
 them when unable to work. 
 
 Unseen, I watched them for a while, cheered 
 by their lively chatter and merry laugh, until 
 the sight of the rapidly emptying dishes brought 
 home to me the fact that I, too, was hungry. 
 
 The past became a dream, and 1 was again 
 Testore the fiddle-maker, Testore the wild, if 
 you will ; but not Testore, the killer of men, 
 the would-be wooer of beautiful ladies. 
 
 Since it were as well that I should avoid my 
 old haunts for a few days, I determined to 
 sojourn with these gypsies, for were my 
 absence remarked upon it would cause but 
 little surprise, so frequent were my wanderings. 
 
 But, meanwhile, the food was disappearing, 
 so I gave a gypsy call of brotherhood, which 
 caused an immediate silence to fall upon the 
 group. 
 
 The hand in the act of conveying a portion 
 to the mouth stopped midway in its journey, 
 and every eye was turned towards the place 
 from whence had come the cry. Repeating it, 
 I walked towards them. 
 
 " Ecco, Testore ! Ewiva, Testore ! " 
 
 My hands were seized, and I was almost 
 torn to pieces, so boisterous, so hearty, were 
 the greetings of my friends.
 
 24 TESTORE 
 
 It was useless to attempt to speak until they 
 had exhausted their exclamations of delight, 
 therefore I pointed to the partly emptied 
 platters, and soon I was seated before a well- 
 heaped plate of maccaroni of which I partook 
 hungrily ; and when my thirst was quenched I 
 was ready to reply to their many questions, and 
 to make known to them that I fain would be 
 their guest for a time. 
 
 The meal over, a fiddle was produced and 
 put into my hands. 
 
 Ah, the gypsies had chosen a beautiful spot 
 wherein to encamp for the night, for the open 
 sward, enclosed by trees and shrubs, was, indeed, 
 a place of wondrous beauty. 
 
 The men in divers lazy attitudes grouped 
 themselves around me, and there in the fast 
 gathering shadows of evening I played to them 
 a solemn melody which, presently, changed to 
 an Allegro full of life and gaiety. 
 
 The Allegro passed into a Presto, and, fast 
 and joyously, the notes rippled over each other. 
 Life was one long dance, and in answer to the 
 call of the music, the sward became alive with 
 the forms of brown-eyed, dark-haired maidens, 
 whose nimble feet kept time to the rhythm of 
 the Gypsy Dance. 
 
 The moonlight, peeping between the sway-
 
 TESTORE 25 
 
 ing branches of those great trees whose leaves 
 rustled an accompaniment, shone athwart the 
 bosoms of the maids which rose and fell, whilst 
 their necklaces jingled with the movement. 
 
 My friends sat up, their faces aglow with 
 excitement, their eyes on the dancers. 
 
 The Presto ended in a great chord, and the 
 maidens, wearied, sank down on to the grass. 
 
 A silence fell upon us all. 
 
 Then I remembered Fanciullina, and, me- 
 thought, the soul of him whom I had slain 
 hovered around me. 
 
 Again I lifted the fiddle and played. 
 
 And now the music was of my own heart, a 
 wild lament of pain and woe. The men were 
 speechless, but the women sobbed. 
 
 So keenly did my message touch them that 
 it was as though the bitter sorrow of mankind 
 with the fear of death held them fast. But, 
 presently, that cry of anguish ceased. I scarcely 
 paused ere the notes that followed spoke to 
 them of peace and joy attained. Tears were 
 dried, the eyes of all shone with hope, and 
 then, as though an angel prompted me, 1 played 
 a hymn of exaltation over a battle fought and 
 won. And the echoes of that glorious psalm 
 of praise resounded around us. 
 
 When the last note thereof had died away
 
 26 TESTORE 
 
 I laid down the fiddle, and sought my couch of 
 moss and leaves which had been piled high for 
 me by certain of my friends. 
 
 One by one, these, too, laid themselves down 
 to sleep, and I was alone with the moon and 
 the night. 
 
 Oft have I wondered what the world would 
 have thought of these improvisations of mine ! 
 
 Those were pleasant days which I spent with 
 the gypsies, and always, when safely encamped 
 far from the highways that led to the cities, 
 I would play to them my music, whether it were 
 sad or gay, and, again, I was the Testore of 
 old. 
 
 At last I returned home, and was told by 
 many of the finding without the city of the 
 dead body of the Conte Alfonso. 
 
 I listened to these several tales, carelessly 
 asked a few questions, then engrossed myself 
 in my work, for I was filled with the desire to 
 combine two varnishes in such a way as would 
 produce one more beautiful in colour than any 
 I had as yet used. For the time I was happy 
 since the experiment proved a success. I spent 
 long hours rubbing it upon one of my beloved 
 instruments. Thus Conte Alfonso was for- 
 gotten by me, and my comrades left me alone 
 for they were occupied with affairs of State.
 
 TESTORE 27 
 
 France had insulted us, and there was much 
 talk of war, but so completely was I absorbed 
 in the delights of my work that I gave but 
 little attention to the rumours, therefore I was 
 not surprised when they came to naught.
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 ONE day, Francesco, my cousin, invaded my 
 chamber of fiddles, a thing which none dare do 
 without my leave or invitation, for only la mia 
 bimba had been allowed to come and go, at 
 will. 
 
 He was hot and breathless, and, as he 
 would have heedlessly brushed aside some of 
 my precious wood in order to seat himself, 
 I pointed to the door. He obeyed my gesture 
 for they were all very good to me. 
 
 Following him to the living-room, I inquired 
 as to the cause of his excitement. 
 
 " Strange news, cousin," answered he, " the 
 convent of the Holy Mother has been burnt 
 to the ground." 
 
 I started, for that was the convent wherein 
 Signorina had taken refuge. Signorina, whom 
 I had forgotten. But, before I could speak, 
 Francesco continued hurriedly, " Cousin, do 
 you remember the talk concerning a lady who 
 was missing at the time of the murder of the 
 
 Conte Alfonso ? " 
 
 28
 
 TESTORE 29 
 
 I could only look my answer, for my mind 
 was full of the many incidents of that hot day 
 in July. 
 
 " Well, they say that she was betrothed, or 
 about to be betrothed, to the Duca Visconti's 
 nephew. No trace was found of her till one of 
 the Duca's men, having been sent to the con- 
 vent with a message from his master, saw her. 
 
 " He had been ordered to deliver the missive 
 to none other than the Abbess herself, and, 
 likewise, to receive the reply from her own 
 hand. Whilst waiting for it in an ante-chamber, 
 the Signorina entered. Although she with- 
 drew quickly when she saw who sat there, the 
 man recognised her. 
 
 " He held his tongue concerning this en- 
 counter, for those who serve the great, learn 
 full well the worth of silence, but, taking the 
 letter which the Abbess presently brought him, 
 he set forth on his return journey. 
 
 " On his arrival at the palace, he was im- 
 mediately summoned before the Duke, who, 
 having received the answer to his missive, 
 would have dismissed him but the man lingered. 
 Then his master asked if he had aught to say 
 of import, whereon his servant told him of 
 whom he had seen in the ante-chamber of the
 
 3 o TESTORE 
 
 convent. The Duke listened silently to this 
 tale, and when the man had said all, he asked 
 him if he could swear to the truth of his words. 
 
 "Satisfied with the reply that she was well 
 known to him since during her residence at 
 court she had daily visited her horse in its 
 stall, the Duca sent an escort to fetch her to 
 his palace. 
 
 " Armed with the warrant for this deed, sealed 
 with the crest of the house which he served, 
 the Captain thereof was admitted to the presence 
 of the Abbess, who, however, refused to throw 
 any light on the matter. 
 
 "Then, acting upon further orders, the con- 
 vent was searched, even the chapel itself, and 
 the vaults below, but with no result, save a 
 stirring of forgotten dust. 
 
 " Therefore, the Captain sent a messenger to 
 acquaint the Duke with that they had done, 
 while he, and the others, remained behind on 
 guard. 
 
 " The Abbess, and her nuns, retired beyond 
 sound of their voices, or the thread of their 
 feet. At dawn the building was ablaze, and, 
 in spite of all the efforts of the soldiers, and 
 the prayers of the women, it was burnt to the 
 ground. Yet none were hurt, save two, who 
 perished in the flames."
 
 TESTORE 31 
 
 Fain would I have hurried away for I 
 yearned to be alone, but Francesco detained 
 me. Laying his hand on my arm, he said, 
 " The Abbess is here in this town." 
 
 "And her nuns ?" 
 
 " Are with her." 
 
 That scene under the tree by the vineyard 
 of the dead lying so still on the earth, and 
 Signorina pointing to my blood-stained sword, 
 flashed across my mind, and, unbeliever as I 
 was, I crossed myself. This action pleased my 
 cousin, for he was a devout Catholic. 
 
 " What caused the fire ? " 
 
 Francesco shook his head. 
 
 " Many think it a punishment sent by the 
 Holy Virgin for the violation wrought to her 
 convent." 
 
 " Why then did she allow two of her 
 followers to perish in the flames ? " 
 
 My cousin made the sign of the Cross. 
 
 "We may not question her doings," said 
 he, " and I would that you thought more 
 reverently on these things." 
 
 " Bah ! I tell you she had nothing to do 
 with it. They are but fools who believe such 
 talk." 
 
 Sad indeed was the look upon Francesco's 
 face ; he turned to go.
 
 32 TESTORE 
 
 " Ah, well, if that is all you can say, 1 am 
 sorry. I came to see if you would accompany 
 me to II Duomo where masses are to be sung 
 for the dead." 
 
 I was fond of my cousin, and, repentant of 
 having wounded his feelings, I laid my hand 
 caressingly on his shoulder, saying that I would 
 go with him. 
 
 Without, the streets were filled with men, 
 women and children, all hurrying in a state of 
 great excitement towards the Cathedral, and, 
 as we joined the ever-increasing crowd, eager 
 questions were heard on all sides. 
 
 When we reached II Duomo, it was Fran- 
 cesco who pushed his way well to the front, 
 and I kept close to him. To the service I paid 
 but scant attention, for my thoughts were of 
 Signorina. What if she be one of the victims 
 to the fire ? 
 
 The masses over, we waited till the people 
 had somewhat dispersed. Two nuns passed by 
 us. One of them dropped her book at my 
 feet. Stooping, I picked it up, and, as she 
 took it from my hand, our eyes met. 
 
 My face flushed, but she only inclined her 
 head as if to acknowledge my little act of 
 courtesy, and rejoined her companion. 
 
 Francesco had noticed neither the look nor
 
 TESTORE 33 
 
 my change of countenance, and I, of course, 
 was silent. 
 
 We reached my house where my cousin left 
 me, and I went to my room. There I tried to 
 work, but my mind dwelt so persistently on 
 that little incident in II Duomo that soon I 
 gave up all attempts, and sauntered forth 
 again. 
 
 The town was still flooded with people. 
 Many I knew ; some would have stayed me, 
 but, being in no mood for idle chatter, I 
 pushed on until I found that unconsciously 
 I had reached the Cathedral. 
 
 I entered, prompted by a force within me 
 which I was compelled to obey. Passing up 
 the aisle, I knelt before an altar. 
 
 The stalls were still filled with kneeling 
 monks. Somewhere in the background voices 
 were heard in a Psalm of Supplication. I 
 buried my face in my hands, and I, Testore, 
 prayed. 
 
 When I raised my head 1 saw that a peasant 
 woman had seated herself next to me. She 
 was regarding me anxiously, but the look of 
 uncertainty in her eyes gave way to relief 
 when she saw my face clearly. 
 
 As 1 turned to pass out, she adroitly pushed 
 a tiny missive into my hand, making at the
 
 34 TESTORE 
 
 same time a sign to imply secrecy. I closed 
 my fingers over it, then withdrew my hand 
 under my cloak that none might see. The 
 action pleased her. She knelt down, and 
 commenced to tell her beads rapidly. 
 
 Not till I was in my own chamber did I 
 open and read. 
 
 " To the good Testore to whom I ever owe 
 a debt of gratitude. 
 
 "To-night I set out for Naples, and from 
 thence to Sicily. Addio ! Addio ! " 
 
 There was no signature, only these few 
 words. 
 
 She knew, then, that I had recognised her, 
 and the thought that she trusted me, believ- 
 ing me incapable of treachery, filled my heart 
 with joy. 
 
 To Sicily ! " 
 
 It was a long way. I scanned the paper 
 again and again lest I might have missed aught 
 upon it. But no, just this short message. My 
 interest, curiosity, call it which you will, grew. 
 I would not be baffled. Once 1 had been 
 her knight, but since then what ? 
 
 Impatiently, angrily, I paced the room. 
 Mad, impulsive fellow that 1 was, I had for- 
 gotten her until my cousin had rushed in upon
 
 TESTORE 35 
 
 me with the tale of the burning of the con- 
 vent. Then had followed that chance meeting 
 in II Duomo. 
 
 Behold, how often a small spark kindles a 
 great fire ! 
 
 My impatience grew. 1 vowed that I would 
 see her, this beautiful lady who now so utterly 
 possessed my heart to the exclusion of all 
 else. 
 
 Visions of her as a sainted nun, deprived of 
 all that makes the life of a woman, did but 
 strengthen my wild intention. 
 
 The difficulties which would have to be 
 overcome were as naught. I brushed them 
 aside. She should be mine. Work, fame, all 
 were possible with her at my side. 
 
 At last, worn out by the excess of my mood, 
 I sat down, and gazed again at the missive 
 which I had clasped tightly in my left hand all 
 the while my thoughts ran riot. 
 
 " To-night I set out." 
 
 I let the paper fall as I suddenly grasped the 
 fact that but a few hours I had in which to act. 
 
 "To-night!" 
 
 Rapidly I planned. 
 
 I, too, would seek the road to Naples, and 
 lie in ambush until the Abbess and her train 
 passed.
 
 36 TESTORE 
 
 Fate might be kind to me ; some chance 
 might guide my steps to success. 
 
 Again, my absence would cause but little 
 remark, since I had always been prone to these 
 fits of wandering, which oft lasted for days, 
 and even weeks ; and my mother, good old 
 soul, must have grieved sadly enough over her 
 wayward son. Not that she ever chided me, 
 but I know that her happiest hours were when 
 I was safe at work in my room of fiddles. 
 
 Hiding a supply of money about my person, 
 I donned my cloak, for I had, perforce, to 
 seek a horse ere I could commence my 
 journey. 
 
 A good mount found, I drank a cup of wine 
 with its master, ere I started for the road with- 
 out Milano which led southwards. 
 
 With the city behind me, and the highway 
 before, I put my steed to the gallop, taking 
 care, however, not to over-ride him, for I 
 knew not yet what might be in store for us. 
 
 And as I rode on so wild an errand, me- 
 thought of a place but a few miles farther on, 
 favourable for a sudden attack ; a sharp turn, 
 trees on either side, and behind them broken 
 ground, and low bushes. 
 
 All travellers dreaded this spot. Too often 
 had it witnessed struggles between those who
 
 TESTORE 37 
 
 fain would keep their gold, and those who 
 would lighten them of it. 
 
 How I was to accomplish my mad intent of 
 taking captive Signorina single-handed, I knew 
 not yet, but Fate sent help to me as you shall 
 hear.
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 WHEN I reached this bend in the road, I 
 dismounted, and making fast the bridle of my 
 horse to a low-hanging branch of one of the 
 many trees, I examined the place as well as I 
 could by the light of the new moon. 
 
 The time so spent repaid me well, for I came 
 upon signs which encouraged me to hope that, 
 perhaps, my attempt to snatch Signorina from 
 her companions would not be a failure. 
 
 Now there was naught I could do save to 
 wait in patience. 
 
 Two parties would come this way ere dawn 
 of day. 
 
 And my success depended on which should 
 arrive first. 
 
 For the traces that I had discovered told me 
 that to-night this spot would be the rendezvous 
 of my gypsy friends. 
 
 Ah, what a waiting was that ! 
 
 A minute stretched to a half-hour, the half- 
 hour to an interminable day. 
 
 There was no wind. All was still around 
 38
 
 TESTORE 39 
 
 me. I bared my head, and gazed into the 
 beauty of the night, and at the silver moon set 
 in a cloudless grey-blue sky. 
 
 At last I heard, not the thud of galloping 
 horses, but the shrill whistle which I so well 
 knew, and for which I had so hoped. 
 
 And, in answer, shadowy forms appeared, 
 and grouped themselves around their leader. 
 
 I waited until I deemed that they had all 
 assembled, then I, too, gave a cry, the call of a 
 friend in distress. 
 
 One by one they approached me. I held up 
 one hand, imploring for silence, whilst I 
 extended the other which they grasped 
 affectionately. 
 
 Swiftly the chief comprehended my look 
 that I would speak to him apart. 
 
 Speaking rapidly, and in low tones, I made 
 known to him my desire, and he, grasping 
 my wild idea, speedily made his plans to 
 aid me. 
 
 " None too soon have we come," said he, 
 as he strode back to his comrades who 
 awaited near. 
 
 In a few minutes that highway became alive 
 with silent, moving figures. 
 
 Ropes were produced, and a barrier held by 
 living men, was soon formed.
 
 4 o TESTORE 
 
 Hardly were these preparations finished ere 
 the sound of horses' hoofs disturbed the quiet 
 of the night. 
 
 Caspar, the gypsy chief, rejoined me. 
 
 " None too soon," he repeated. 
 
 " They ride fast," muttered I to him. 
 
 " That we cannot help," my friend replied. 
 
 " If they turn ? " 
 
 My tones betrayed my anxiety. 
 
 "The like greeting meets them. Some of 
 my men will close up behind directly the riders 
 pass." 
 
 The grip of my hand told him of my 
 admiration for his forethought. 
 
 " I would that they rode less furiously, for 
 I counted not upon broken bones." 
 
 " Since they will be hemmed in on all 
 sides, the men have orders to cry out ; there 
 will be time for them to check their speed 
 somewhat." 
 
 These words lifted a burden from off me, 
 and again I tightened my grasp on his arm to 
 bespeak my gratitude. 
 
 It was a bold deed which Caspar's quick 
 brain had devised, and those in charge knew 
 well the penalty which followed disobedience. 
 
 Once, twice, the call rang out ; and, ere the 
 echoes thereof died away, all was in confusion.
 
 TESTORE 41 
 
 The horses were surrounded ; strong hands 
 held them till their riders, overpowered, were 
 forced to surrender. 
 
 A babel of voices arose, but none of the 
 women shrieked aloud. 
 
 So suddenly had the horsemen been pinioned 
 that they had no time to draw swords. 
 
 I sought, and found, my beautiful lady. 
 
 " Dismount ! " said I curtly ; then, ere she 
 had time to speak, I added, "Trust yourself 
 to me for no harm shall befall you." 
 
 Silently she obeyed me, but my heart told 
 me that she knew my voice. 
 
 " Come," continued I, " in ten minutes we 
 must be far away." 
 
 " You would have me forsake my friends ? " 
 
 Proudly she drew herself up. 
 
 But I laughed softly, and in low tones 
 replied, " You will come, for only by so doing, 
 can you aid your companions." 
 
 Naught answered she to my words, but 
 stared at me with frightened eyes, and whiten- 
 ing lips. 
 
 " In ten minutes if you and I are still here, 
 your comrades die. Look 1 " 
 
 Grasping her arm firmly with one hand, I 
 pointed to the crowd of gypsies, who out- 
 numbered the captured by three to one.
 
 42 TESTORE 
 
 It was a cruel lie, but how else could I 
 prevail upon her ? 
 
 Though she spoke not, I knew that she 
 would yield rather than endanger the lives of 
 her friends. 
 
 " I swear to you that all shall be saved ; not 
 even a drop of their blood shall be shed, only 
 we must depart ere it be too late." 
 
 " I do not understand " 
 
 " Hush ! " I interrupted, for Caspar ap- 
 proached, and I had no wish for him to hear 
 her words, since he believed that she desired 
 to be thus liberated, and to come with me. 
 
 He laughed low when he saw us, and began 
 to speak, but, fortunately, in the patois of his 
 tribe, comprehensible only to those who had 
 learnt of its mysteries of words and accent. 
 
 Signorina, thinking that he threatened us, 
 gave way. 
 
 "Let us go," said she. 
 
 Fast beat my heart at her words. 
 
 I begged Caspar to give me an hour's start, 
 and then to withdraw his men. 
 
 But not till I held my beautiful lady in front 
 of me on my good steed, could I feel that I 
 had her safe. 
 
 For the others I cared not ; Caspar would 
 keep faith with me ; there would be no violence
 
 TESTORE 43 
 
 or robbery, but when the time was up for which 
 I had asked the gypsies would vanish, leaving 
 the women free to release the pinioned men. 
 Whether the alarmed travellers proceeded on 
 their journey, or returned to Milano, mattered 
 not to me. 
 
 On we galloped neither of us spoke ; a 
 stray lock of her hair was blown against my 
 face, and it but fanned me to starker deeds. 
 
 At last, when a great distance was put 
 between us and those whom we had left behind, 
 I checked the wild gallop ; then, alighting, I 
 lifted Signorina to the ground. 
 
 Side by side we stood, with the night air 
 playing upon our faces ; then, with a quick 
 movement, I faced her. 
 
 She was veiled in a long cloak of the kind 
 peculiar to the order of nuns with whom she 
 had been travelling. 
 
 I bent towards her. 
 
 " Angelo mio ! " 
 
 Very tenderly I said these words which to a 
 lover means so much, but her eyes fell from 
 the fierce fire in mine. 
 
 " Angelo mio ! " 
 
 Again I spake in a low whisper, bending so 
 close to her dear face that I could feel her 
 breath upon my cheek ; but still she answered
 
 44 TESTORE 
 
 not, only her hands, which I held within mine, 
 were not withdrawn. 
 
 " Angelo mio ! " 
 
 1 kissed her ear. 
 
 She trembled, and sought to free herself. 
 
 I let her hands go, and she hid her face 
 within them whilst her form shook with sobs. 
 Dismayed, 1 gazed at her. It cut me to the 
 quick that I had made her weep for I loved 
 her so, and I would that I had never dared this 
 thing. I bit my lips, I drove my nails into 
 my palms, then I tore her hands from before 
 her eyes that I might read their message, for I 
 would rather pierce my heart with my own 
 sword than trouble her with my presence, if 
 that were hateful to her ; but my blood coursed 
 quickly through my veins, for neither hate nor 
 fear were therein written, but the look that 
 tells a lover much. I seized her in my arms, 
 our lips met, and, in that fierce tumult of 
 passion and joy, all was forgotten, yea, even 
 Fanciullina. 
 
 Presently, the difficulties that surrounded us, 
 forced themselves upon our minds, and we 
 spoke together of how we should evade 
 capture. 
 
 Fearing to waste the minutes, we rode on 
 again till we struck a side path. The neigh-
 
 TESTORE 45 
 
 bourhood was strange to me, and the beast, 
 weaned with his double burden, stumbled, and 
 drooped his head. So I turned off this path 
 on to the grass amidst some trees, and there I 
 found a spot in which to rest. 
 
 Relieving the horse of his saddle and bit, 
 I seated myself beside my beautiful lady, who, 
 resting her head upon my shoulder, fell asleep. 
 
 And thus passed what remained of that 
 night. 
 
 My limbs ached with the rigid posture. 
 Hunger and thirst beset me sorely, but, even 
 so, the day dawned all too soon. 
 
 Always, in my mad wanderings, I could 
 completely put aside all thoughts of work, 
 returning to it with greater zest than ever. 
 Thus it was now, for here was I, Testore the 
 fiddle-maker of Milano, content with but one 
 thought, his beautiful lady. 
 
 Unable to stand my cramped position any 
 longer, I moved slightly ; but it disturbed 
 Signorina, and she opened her eyes. 
 
 Though bewildered at first, she soon remem- 
 bered all that had passed, and, " Testore ! " she 
 whispered softly. I bent to her and the wild 
 chaos of my mind was stilled for the time ; 
 yet we might not tarry, for we must ride till 
 we reached a town.
 
 46 TESTORE 
 
 Putting her gently from me, I bade her 
 take off the sombre cloak that I might hide 
 it, perchance, in the depth of some hollow 
 trunk of a tree. 
 
 Now we rode anew, and, before long, came 
 upon the outskirts of a city where we met a 
 man driving two cows into a yard. A lad 
 followed with a pail of milk. Ah, that white 
 frothy milk ! The very sight of it intensified 
 our thirst. 
 
 Hastily pulling up, I alighted, and, seizing 
 the pail from the hand of the astonished boy, 
 raised it to the lips of my beautiful lady. 
 
 Never before had she used so huge a goblet, 
 and only such as she could have drunk from 
 it so daintily. 
 
 " Hold, Signore, hold ! " cried the owner of 
 the cows. " Art thou man or devil, that thou 
 dost rob me of my milk ? " 
 
 But I only rested the pail for a second on 
 the ground ere we attacked its contents anew. 
 At which sight he crossed himself, and mut- 
 tered a prayer for protection from evil spirits. 
 
 Then, more concerned for his dairy than for 
 his soul, he bravely sought to snatch the pail 
 as I lifted it yet again. 
 
 Merrily I laughed, for there was much 
 humour in the situation, and this laughter
 
 TESTORE 47 
 
 reassured them somewhat ; but the coin I 
 proffered relieved their fears completely, so 
 that they were both eager to hold the pail 
 whilst I quenched my thirst. 
 
 Refreshed, I asked the man what manner 
 of inns were to be had in the town. 
 
 " The Signore would do me a great honour 
 if he would deign to make use of my humble 
 abode." 
 
 I looked at him. His features were honest 
 enough, and the kindly light within his eyes 
 redeemed the somewhat stupid appearance of 
 his countenance. So I accepted his offer. 
 
 Leading us up the yard, he opened a door 
 which, entering, we found ourselves in a low- 
 built, rudely furnished room. A woman, 
 busily cooking over the fire, turned, and, 
 before I could defend myself from her un- 
 foreseen attack, had enfolded me in her arms. 
 
 Amazed and angered, I freed myself, but 
 her voice told me that her face had not re- 
 vealed, for, taking me again into her embrace, 
 she repeated excitedly, " Buono Carlo ! Dost 
 thou not know me Teresa, who was the first 
 to hold thee in her arms. For shame, Carlo 
 mio ! 'Tis thus we are forgotten." 
 
 And yet again she fell to hugging me. 
 
 A faithful servant of our family, Teresa had
 
 48 TESTORE 
 
 only left us to be married, and, since travelling 
 was dangerous, and letters unknown among the 
 peasant folk, we had lost sight of her in her 
 new home miles distant. 
 
 Releasing me only that she might the better 
 look at me, she laughed so gaily that, perforce, 
 we joined in her merriment. 
 
 Alas ! how often is such laughter followed 
 by tears. 
 
 Soon a meal was set before us, and when we 
 had partaken of it, I was shown into a small 
 chamber where, flinging myself upon the couch, 
 I fell asleep. 
 
 It was very late in the day when I awoke 
 and made my way to the kitchen where Teresa 
 occupied herself with some household duty. 
 
 The table was prepared for one at which 
 I wondered, whilst a pang of disappointment 
 shot through me when I saw that my old nurse 
 was alone. 
 
 She turned as I entered. Then I saw that 
 her eyelids wese red, as though she had wept 
 much. Eagerly I questioned her as to the 
 welfare of Signorina. My old nurse replied 
 that she had rested well, and, " Oh, how beau- 
 tiful, how gracious was la gran dama." Thus 
 she chattered, all the while noisily arranging 
 the platters on the table.
 
 TESTORE 49 
 
 When at last she paused, and 1 could speak 
 to ask anew of my companion, Teresa gave me 
 a message from her. 
 
 My beautiful lady was still weary and, there- 
 fore, would rest till the morrow. 
 
 " But," stammered I, " must I wait till 
 then?" 
 
 " Such is her wish, buono Carlo. She 
 begged that none might disturb her, but she 
 bade me see that you ate well when you 
 awoke." 
 
 Moodily I refused to sit down, and naught 
 that Teresa said availed. Impatiently pacing 
 up and down the room, I implored my nurse 
 to go and ask la gran dama to change her 
 mind. But she only shook her head, and, at 
 last, as in the old days, when she alone could 
 make me obey when no one else could, I gave 
 in to her entreaties, and seated myself at the 
 table. 
 
 The repast over, we chatted long over by- 
 gone memories. She spoke highly of her 
 husband, sighing deeply when she told me that 
 through all their twelve wedded years no little 
 one had blessed their home. 
 
 And I told her of many of my doings. I 
 hid not from her my reckless ways and deeds, 
 only I spake not a word of la mia bimbo,, nor
 
 50 TESTORE 
 
 did I tell her of my first meeting with my 
 beautiful lady. 
 
 After a while I grew silent and oppressed ; 
 so many thoughts crowded themselves within 
 my brain, and the air of the room became so 
 hot that I felt as though the walls thereof 
 were closing in upon me. Arising hurriedly, 
 I passed without. 
 
 Night had again fallen and, as I paced the 
 garden, the heavy pressure around me lightened. 
 
 And I lived in those past hours, dwelling on 
 each word and look of Angelo mio, for such 
 would I ever call her. 
 
 And, strange as it may seem to many, no 
 desire had entered my mind to ask of her her 
 name. Angelo mio ! That was enough for 
 me, and such I called her ever after in my 
 heart. 
 
 I would love her, and ways and means were 
 of little account. 
 
 At length Teresa came out and sought to 
 persuade me to return to the house ; but I 
 would not hearken to her, and she left me : 
 the only time, I believe, that she had failed in 
 winning me to do her behest. 
 
 Oh, the beauty of that night ! The cloudless 
 sky, the scent of the flowers, and the deep 
 silence that prevailed.
 
 TESTORE 51 
 
 My excitement waned, my fears were lulled. 
 I felt the presence of Unseen Beings and, as in 
 that mighty Cathedral, I, Testore, prayed. 
 
 Strange, indeed, are the thoughts of man. 
 So much evil, so much good, makes up the 
 tale of his deeds and life, and oft only a slight 
 pressure is needed to turn his heart for either 
 right or wrong. 
 
 Years afterwards I gave thanks to Him who 
 was then but a name to me for those long quiet 
 hours.
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 DAWN found me still pacing up and down, 
 but calmed and thoughtful. 
 
 For the first time in my life an unselfish 
 love held me in its sway. 
 
 Our future should be in her hands, not 
 mine, for I would not sully so pure a flower. 
 
 As the sun rose, I returned to the house, 
 and finding that no one was astir, sought the 
 chamber which Teresa had allotted to me. 
 
 I was content to wait, and, throwing myself 
 upon the couch, I fell asleep. Ere I awoke I 
 dreamed of Fanciullina. 
 
 Never before had I dreamt of her. 
 
 I saw her coming towards me, clothed in 
 pure white, her face radiant with beauty and 
 happiness. She held out to me that I thought 
 was a fiddle, but no sooner had my fingers 
 closed upon it than it became a sharp thorn 
 which pricked me sorely. Flinging it down, I 
 called to my child for she was passing out of 
 my sight, but she pointed past herself to a 
 mountain peak on which stood a city shining 
 52
 
 TESTORE 53 
 
 as of gold. I tried to speak but my tongue 
 refused to utter the words, and Fanciullina 
 slowly passed on. I watched her as she climbed 
 the height turning to beckon to me every now 
 and then. At the summit two angel-forms 
 greeted her. One lifted her in his arms, while 
 there floated downwards a chorus of heavenly 
 song. 
 
 Awaking, I found myself sitting up, with 
 hands outstretched and tear-laden eyes. 
 
 I sank back on the pillow, and my thoughts 
 were of the past, and the present, la mia bimba^ 
 and Angek mio. 
 
 Soon came a gentle knock at my door and 
 Teresa entered. The room became fragrant 
 with the odour of coffee, a rare delicacy, and 
 one little to be expected in a small homestead. 
 Taking the cup from her, I drank feverishly. 
 In truth I had never before tasted it though 
 many were loud in their praise of it. 
 
 The morrow had come and I should see my 
 beautiful lady. 
 
 Eagerly I questioned my hostess, but she 
 answered not, and, without a word, disappeared. 
 Ere I could comprehend her demeanour and 
 silence, she returned, and laid a letter beside 
 me ; then she withdrew. 
 
 A vague feeling of uneasy apprehension came
 
 54 TESTORE 
 
 over me. I fingered the missive, then opened 
 it, and, as I read therein, a trembling seized me, 
 and a mist obscured my sight 
 
 " Testore mio, farewell, for our folly, our 
 mad passion, must cease, yet I love you. 
 
 " You say that you love me, yet how can you, 
 whose heart but a few months ago was well- 
 nigh breaking for another, make me a true 
 lover ? 
 
 " Return to her. Forget me if you can for I 
 love you so well that I am leaving you for 
 ever. Even had this woman not stood between 
 us, my rank alone would be but one of the 
 many barriers with which I am surrounded. 
 
 " Seek me not, my Testore, for thus I call 
 you since my heart tells me in spite of my 
 thoughts that you love me. 
 
 " Wild you may be, impulsive you are, but 
 not wicked, Carlo mio, and I love you. 
 
 " My Testore, for you were mine for a 
 few hours, for your sake I leave you, and 
 Italy. 
 
 " I will not share you with another ; nor shall 
 any other man touch my lips, they are sacred 
 to you for ever. 
 
 " Far away, in a community of silent sisters, I 
 shall hide myself from the world, and there
 
 TESTORE 55 
 
 amid my solitude I would that I could think of 
 you as fulfilling your art. 
 
 " You told me much of yourself during those 
 hours when our souls found each other, but 
 more than you said I read in your face, and, 
 because I love you, and you love me, I would 
 that you wasted not all your life. 
 
 "Testore mio, farewell ! " 
 
 It is said that a sudden shock paralyses the 
 human frame and so it was with me. I became 
 for the while incapable of movement, or of 
 sound, devoid of sense and feeling. 
 
 Then, when the power of thought and motion 
 returned to me, numb despair gave way to 
 hopelessness and loneliness. 
 
 In that small chamber I lay till evening. 
 
 None came near me, not even Teresa, 
 though afterwards I learnt that she had spent 
 long moments of anxiety outside my door, for 
 she who knew so well my passionate, impulsive 
 nature, feared this strange calm. 
 
 Flesh wounds oft cause the victim to cry 
 aloud but mortal hurts are at times received 
 in silence. 
 
 At sunset, there came again a knock upon 
 my door and my nurse entered. 
 
 " Buono Carlo ! "
 
 56 TESTORE 
 
 She held out to me a second letter which I 
 took without a word. 
 
 Teresa tarried. It was cruel of me not to 
 speak to her, for her face was pale and worn 
 with fears for me, but before Sorrow and Pain 
 lead one to the Gate of Unselfish Thoughts, 
 and Deeds, each soul must travel for a while 
 the highway of self. 
 
 And, on that road, some linger, while others, 
 possessed of strength of soul, hastening for- 
 ward, pass through, then extend they a helping 
 hand to those still struggling on behind. 
 
 My faithful nurse ! She stood there, her 
 features working with badly concealed emotion, 
 till, bursting suddenly into a flood of tears, she 
 hurried from my presence. 
 
 I stared at her broad back, troubling not at 
 her sorrow since mine was the only grief in the 
 world. 
 
 Even the letter which she had brought, was 
 forgotten, till turning impatiently I saw it lying 
 where it had fallen from my hand. Listlessly 
 I opened it, but at sight of the writing fiercely 
 surged the passionate tide within my veins. 
 
 Angelo mio ! 
 
 I might have known that the missive was 
 from her, since only she knew of my where- 
 abouts.
 
 TESTORE . 57 
 
 u My Testore ! Once more I call you so, 
 but after, only in my heart. 
 
 " Do not be angry with the good Teresa for I 
 compelled her to aid my escape. Her husband 
 has escorted me so far, and, while the horses 
 rest, I write this, my last farewell, at a little 
 wayside inn that he may carry it back to you. 
 
 " In one hour he will leave me in the care of 
 the good mother of a convent near by. 
 
 " 1 rode away at noon, while you still slept. 
 Your words rang in my ears, your face was 
 before me. I loved you then, I love you now ; 
 but, Testore mio, it must be as I say. 
 
 " No priest would bless us were he to know 
 my true name, and I could not swear to a false 
 one at the sacred altar. 
 
 " Because of my love for you, I will not 
 return to my place in the world, neither will I 
 wed one while my heart is given to another ; 
 though there are those, rich and powerful, who 
 fain would call me back to the hollow mockery 
 of life without you ; thus only by taking holy 
 vows am I safe from pursuit. 
 
 " In that retreat my penance will oft be 
 severe, for it will take long years to purge you 
 from my memory, yet shall I bear it if, when 
 kneeling on the cold stones, I can think of you 
 as happy in your work.
 
 5 8 TESTORE 
 
 " My Testore, I fear not her for whom you 
 have so sorely grieved for I know that your 
 love is mine. 
 
 " Riding hither, I stifled my heart's cry for 
 you, and I cannot, dare not, will not draw back. 
 
 " We may not meet again in this world, and, 
 afterwards, who knows ? Addio ! Addio ! " 
 
 I do not think that I immediately com- 
 prehended the full meaning of these words, 
 but, presently, the knowledge was borne in 
 upon me that I had lost my beautiful lady, 
 that never again would I look upon her. 
 
 Then I arose softly, for I would not face any 
 of that household, and groped my way to the 
 door for the daylight had waned. As I stepped 
 without that chamber I became aware that I 
 was watched. This exasperated me. Turning, 
 I hurled out fierce words, then, completely 
 forgetting myself, I cursed her who had robbed 
 me of my all, and who had abetted la gran 
 dama in her flight. 
 
 Of that which chanced in the next few hours 
 I have no remembrance, but when I came to 
 my senses I was on horseback many miles from 
 the homestead. The poor beast was covered 
 with flecks of foam, his glossy skin streamed 
 with moisture, his limbs trembled from
 
 TESTORE 59 
 
 exhaustion. Sobered by his piteous state, I led 
 him to a sheltered nook behind a clump of 
 bushes, and there I sought to atone for my 
 brutal speed. I wiped him with handfuls of 
 grass, easing his mouth of the bit, then I spread 
 my cloak over his back. 
 
 Dear, forgiving beast ! Gently nosing me, 
 he whinnied gratefully. Flinging my arms 
 around his neck, I wept scalding tears of 
 anguish which washed away my youth and 
 light-heartedness for never again was I the 
 same. 
 
 One by one the stars sank in their vapoury 
 frame. The breaking of the dawn drew near 
 when Nature is wrapped in a mystic garment, 
 then naught seems common. The silent song 
 born of the still night air changes to a subtler 
 key. Earth and things not of the earth are in 
 communion. Then the sun appears, and as he 
 sends forth his rays of light the twittering of 
 the birds cease, they sing aloud of joy and 
 freedom. Now the voice of mankind is heard. 
 We are of the world once more. 
 
 This quiet magic of the coming day had 
 soothed me so that I was able to think. The 
 neighbourhood was strange to me. I was far 
 from any town, but though stiff and weary a 
 start must be made.
 
 60 TESTORE 
 
 Carefully I led my steed, at whiles talking 
 to him, for I was filled with remorse for my 
 thoughtless cruelty. I could not have borne 
 the presence of man, but the dumb creature at 
 my side just lightened the solitude enough. 
 Voices and looks would have torn anew the 
 wound which only time could heal. 
 
 So we plodded on, and struck a road which 
 brought us to a city where the good beast and 
 I presently enjoyed, each in his own way, the 
 much-needed rest and food at one of the many 
 inns with which the town abounded.
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 NEXT morning found us again on the road, 
 our host's good wishes following us as we 
 turned our backs on our night's shelter, for I 
 had paid him well. 
 
 All day I rode, my heart aching for my room 
 of fiddles. If only I could hold one of them, 
 pouring out to it my trouble, somewhat of my 
 misery would cease. 
 
 Towards sunset I reached another town, 
 where some great festival was in course of 
 celebration. The crowded streets were gay 
 with many banners and festoons of flowers. 
 Among that throng of merry-makers I alone 
 was heavy-hearted. I tried to find an inn 
 wherein to lodge for the night, but one and all 
 had the same tale full, even to overflowing. 
 In vain I begged for a corner, nay, I offered to 
 share a stall with my faithful steed, but always 
 the answer was " No." 
 
 Dusk still found us wandering through the 
 city, when the sound of music fell upon my 
 ears. 
 
 61
 
 62 TESTORE 
 
 The street was a mean one compared with 
 some through which I had passed, yet the 
 voice of that fiddle responded to the cry of 
 my heart. Moreover, he who could produce 
 such tones, so clear, so pure, must, indeed, be 
 a musician. 
 
 Therefore, I sought and found the house 
 wherein he lived. 
 
 Boldly I knocked, whereon one bade me 
 enter. 
 
 It was but a poor room that met my sight, 
 devoid of much that appertains to comfort. 
 
 Upon the threshold I paused. My horse 
 was close behind me, and he, tired out, pushed 
 his head over my shoulder to see if aught 
 resembling hay or stall were to be seen. 
 
 Amid the shadows of the twilight, as thus I 
 waited, I saw a form seated on a low stool 
 before an open hearth. 
 
 Again I was bidden to enter, and make fast 
 the door behind me. 
 
 " That, Signore, I would gladly do, but my 
 horse is too valuable a friend to leave outside 
 alone and unprotected." 
 
 " Bring the beast in, for though the place is 
 poor, he may consider it good enough, no 
 matter what his master thinks." 
 
 A sinister chuckle followed these words, but
 
 TESTORE 63 
 
 weariness and curiosity made me avail myself 
 of his invitation. 
 
 On nearer approach I saw it was he who had 
 been making those wonderful notes, for a fiddle 
 lay on his knee, his hand still grasped the bow. 
 
 Forgetting that I was a stranger, I cried to 
 him to give it unto me. 
 
 And ere he could reply I seized them both. 
 
 Afterwards he told me that he thought 1 was 
 an emissary of the devil. 
 
 And, as I played, much of the heaviness of 
 my soul departed, for I had a friend, one to 
 whom I could pour out all of my pent-up grief. 
 Darkness enveloped us, still on I played. At 
 last from sheer weariness I stopped. 
 
 " A drink ! " 1 cried. " Give me to drink." 
 
 Arising from his seat, the man lit a lamp. 
 Then it was that I saw that he was malformed 
 in limb and hideous in feature. 
 
 He signed to me to sit down in his chair, for 
 there was no other, and taking the fiddle from 
 my grasp, he laid it down tenderly. From a 
 cupboard he produced wine, bread, and fruit. 
 
 Greedily I drank, then ate somewhat of the 
 food. We spoke but little till, my hunger and 
 thirst appeased, I held out some money, and 
 made as though to go, but the misshapen 
 creature begged me to stay the night.
 
 64 TESTORE 
 
 " A while ago," said he, " I thought you 
 were but one of the devil's own. You say 
 the inns are full. I have a room for you, and 
 a stall for your beast." 
 
 "Your fiddle constrains me to accept your 
 
 hospitality, otherwise " I shrugged my 
 
 shoulders. 
 
 A look of pain came over his callous features. 
 Truly he was repulsive to behold. 
 
 " I live alone," he answered, u and I am 
 despised, and mocked by many who know me 
 not for that I am, but I have much in yonder,'' 
 he pointed to a door set in the wall by the 
 fireplace which I had not before perceived, " in 
 which you will still be interested. Remain the 
 night. You will not regret it." 
 
 I bowed assent, for there was within this 
 man a latent power which, in spite of his 
 twisted limbs, made me feel as though I were 
 in the presence of one of high rank ; moreover, 
 his tone bespoke of birth and learning. After- 
 wards I knew that he was hated, and feared, 
 a misanthrope, and a miser, but, ah, a musician, 
 a lover of form and colour. 
 
 With difficulty he limped towards a door, 
 heavily barred, which when open gave upon 
 a passage. 
 
 Down this I led my horse, and found at
 
 TESTORE 65 
 
 the end a room which served now as a stable. 
 When we had attended to the needs of the 
 beast, we retraced our steps to the chamber 
 where I had first seen my host, who, bringing 
 out more wine, seated himself again, and we 
 sat talking far into the night. 
 
 And I marvelled at his knowledge of art, 
 nor knew he less of history. Fain would I 
 have asked him who, and what, he was, and 
 why living in such apparent poverty, but one 
 asks not questions of kings. 
 
 " You are weary," said he at length, and 
 indeed, he spoke the truth. u To-morrow you 
 shall see my treasures." 
 
 I slept well that night, in spite of my strange 
 adventure, and awoke refreshed. 
 
 The fiddle had done its work. My beautiful 
 lady did not now obsess all my thoughts. It 
 was not that I cared for her less, but more, 
 since I would obey her behest, and, returning 
 home, would take up my life-work. Then I 
 remembered Fanciullina, and her message. As 
 thus I meditated there came a knock upon my 
 door, and my host entered. 
 
 " The day advances," said he, " and there is 
 much I would show thee." 
 
 I replied that speedily I would be at his ser- 
 vice, and in a short time 1 was ready to join him.
 
 66 TESTORE 
 
 I found him in the room in which we had 
 first met. He appeared not to heed my 
 entrance, and, as I approached him from 
 behind, my eyes fell on the page of the book 
 which he held in his hand, apparently reading. 
 The characters were unknown to me. 
 
 Starting at the sound of my voice, he closed 
 the book hastily. 
 
 " Come," replied he to my greeting, still 
 retaining his hold of the volume, the action 
 bespeaking that of a spoilt child who fears 
 that a cherished toy be taken from him : 
 " Come." 
 
 Passing through the door set within the 
 inner wall, we entered again that passage down 
 which 1 had led my horse, and, in answer to 
 my inquiries concerning him, he assured me 
 that the beast was well, and that he had been 
 fed, though by whom he did not say. Last 
 night this place had kept well its secrets, but 
 now in the bright light of the day, I saw that 
 the walls were panelled from floor to ceiling, 
 and that, moreover, on each panel were de- 
 picted sylphs, gnomes, gods, and goddesses. 
 Only a genius could have traced such forms, or 
 laid on such rich colourings. 
 
 "The work of my hand," my guide said 
 simply, his voice betraying neither pride nor
 
 TESTORE 67 
 
 vanity. In just such a way one speaks of an 
 every-day task which, perchance, has been well 
 done. My eyes left the marvels around me, 
 and turned on him. 
 
 u You are a musician, and a painter ! " 
 
 My voice bespoke admiration and surprise, 
 but he only replied, " I am an outcast ; a 
 creature endowed with all the desires of mere 
 man, but to whom fulfilment of them has been 
 denied." 
 
 Bitterly he spoke, his agony of soul lay 
 open to me. My heart went out to him, and, 
 surely, he felt my unspoken sympathy, for, in 
 a gentler key he added, " Friend, I trust thee 
 to keep in confidence this thou hast seen, that 
 thou shalt see." 
 
 Readily I gave him my promise. 
 
 And, though this ill-shapen man possessed 
 so many gifts, they sufficed not to atone for 
 the scorn of his fellow men, or to stifle the 
 unappeased passions of his manhood. 
 
 " Close your eyes." 
 
 Again that tone of command heard only in 
 the voices of the great. 
 
 Taking my hand, he led me where I knew 
 not, and only because his will was stronger 
 than mine resisted I the temptation to raise my 
 eyelids.
 
 68 TESTORE 
 
 At last the word " Open," said tremulously 
 and excitedly, gave me the right to yield to my 
 burning curiosity. 
 
 Never shall I forget my utter amazement. 
 I had exchanged the vulgar for the marvellous, 
 the cottage for a palace. 
 
 I stood in a large room, with walls and 
 ceiling so exquisitely frescoed that words can- 
 not describe them. On the floor were spread 
 rugs of skilfully blended hues. The windows, 
 and of these there were many, were long, 
 narrow, and of stained glass. Cabinets of 
 rare workmanship held priceless specimens of 
 Venetian glass. 
 
 Several divans were placed so that reclining 
 on any one of them the eye was enchanted by 
 some picture which was hung in just the right 
 light to show its charm of form and colour. 
 
 A low chuckle reminded me of the master 
 of ail these beauties. 
 
 Surely they were marred by the one un- 
 sightly being at my side. My startled look 
 but made him continue his hollow merriment. 
 Then glanced he at his misshapen limbs, and 
 the laughter ended in a sigh. 
 
 " I am not mad," said he, answering aloud 
 my unspoken thought, " but Beauty is my 
 goddess. Hideous as 1 am, I seek it in all.
 
 TESTORE 69 
 
 That which I myself lack, with that I must be 
 surrounded." 
 
 Impulsively I stretched forth my hand to 
 grasp his. 
 
 " You are great ! A creator of the goddess 
 whom you adore." 
 
 But at my words and hand-grip he turned 
 away to hide his emotion, for it was the 
 first time in his life that a fellow-creature 
 had touched him thus, and of his own free 
 will. 
 
 However, he speedily recovered himself, 
 and opening a cabinet, showed me the contents 
 thereof, relating to me the history of many of 
 the treasures therein. 
 
 Next he opened an oaken chest, and there 
 within its spacious depths, lay a fiddle. And 
 I lifted it from its snug resting-place. 
 
 Now I became a being, a soul. I lost con- 
 sciousness of limbs and body. Space illimitable 
 lit up with irradiating rays, surrounded me. 
 Faces of marvellous beauty thronged around 
 me. It was to them I played, and time was 
 not. 
 
 My host must have taken this creator of 
 glories out of my hand, for these visions faded 
 with the rapidity of a falling star, and the 
 narrow confines of stone-built building were
 
 yo TESTORE 
 
 around me. I was but man, and possessed of 
 all his frailties and sins. 
 
 Player and listener looked at one another ; 
 the spell was broken. 
 
 There was still more for me to see, for in an 
 adjoining room was all that appertained to the 
 making of fiddles. 
 
 Wood, kissed by the sun, was scattered 
 about in its divers stages of preparation. From 
 a table the cripple lifted two pieces ; no mother 
 ever held a child more tenderly than he held 
 these recipients of man's song of joy, or woe. 
 He laid them down, he took them up, gazing 
 on them as we look on the face of one whom 
 we dearly love but whom we must lose. 
 
 At length, with lips compressed, and eyes 
 that bespoke naught save cold determination, 
 he thrust them into my hands. 
 
 " Take ! Take ! Lest I repent ! " 
 
 My thanks were rudely checked. 
 
 " Our paths in life lie apart," said he, " but 
 for a few hours I have tasted of friendship. I 
 have met a fellow-soul, not one whose sole 
 delight is in riches. But see how some men 
 treat me." 
 
 He pushed aside a strand of his hair and 
 thus revealed an ugly scar, at the sight of 
 which I uttered a horrified exclamation.
 
 TESTORE 71 
 
 " One day," explained he, " they of a certain 
 city dared to cast stones at me, calling me 
 Wizard, and worse names. Were it not that 
 1 possess great power, I should have been 
 forced to quit the world ere this. No one 
 save you has ever seen my shrine of beauty. 
 I own no God ; I acknowledge no hereafter, 
 but " he gazed on all around him " I have 
 this. Naught that I have made myself do 
 I sell. It is mine, mine, and no other hand 
 shall touch it." 
 
 There are times when silence is the only 
 possible expression of gratitude, or sympathy. 
 I could but hold my gift close to my overflow- 
 ing heart, for I knew that there were vast 
 capabilities of sound within these pieces of wood, 
 and I should be the one to awaken them to life. 
 
 Neither of us spoke till we were within 
 that poverty-stricken room. Then said he, 
 " Friend, the day advances, and you have far 
 to ride ; I, too, have a mission to perform ere 
 the fall of night." Almost as if a sudden pre- 
 sentiment of forthcoming events overshadowed 
 him, he added, " If in time to come, trouble 
 should befall you, sent straightway a mes- 
 senger to the Vatican, with but this one word, 
 * Resurgam,' and if aught can aid thee, be 
 certain that it will."
 
 7 2 TESTORE 
 
 We parted, and much I thought of him as 
 I rode on my homeward way. And then com- 
 menced a period upon which I have often 
 looked back as upon a time not entirely 
 destitute of happiness.
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 ONCE again I worked long stretches of 
 hours, till, completely worn out, I would seek 
 the air, and laze in the sunshine until body 
 and mind craved for work and action. Often, 
 too, I visited II Duomo, and in its dim aisles 
 pondered over many things, especially the 
 password of my strange acquaintance. Much 
 pathos lay in the fact that one who had so 
 suffered from ills of the earth, and who yet 
 denied things of the spirit, should use a word 
 so pregnant with meaning, and promise to all 
 believers : " Resurgam ! " 
 
 With closed eyes, I would often lean back 
 in my chair and picture that room with its 
 bewildering contents. 
 
 And so the days passed, winter came and 
 went, leaving the spring with us until the time 
 of summer, and still I lived a calm life of work 
 and meditation, regardless of affairs of state. 
 
 Oft rumours reached me of unrest in neigh- 
 bouring lands. More than once war threatened 
 us, but these matters, ever on the lips of those 
 
 73
 
 74 TESTORE 
 
 I encountered, troubled me not. My mother 
 sang as she went about her work, for I was 
 her Carlo mio once more. My old companions 
 sought me not, for I had quite deserted them, 
 and thus the weeks sped. 
 
 But one day a small cloud sullied the calm 
 horizon of my life. It appeared in the form 
 of a small missive which was thrust hastily into 
 my hand by a stranger as I walked down the 
 street. Its massive seal bore the imprint of 
 the word " Resurgam." I looked round for the 
 messenger, but he had vanished. I secreted 
 the note till I reached my own room. There, 
 with trembling fingers, 1 opened it. Short 
 was the message it contained. 
 
 " Beware of a man who spies upon thee. 
 He wears a green cloak." 
 
 My heart stood still, then raced on. Fate 
 had caught me at last in her web of retribution. 
 That these words were true I doubted not, for 
 more than once my reveries in II Duomo had 
 been disturbed by the presence of such an one, 
 who, whenever he passed me, scanned me 
 closely. Moreover, I had oft met him in my 
 walks abroad, but, till the arrival of this letter, 
 I had attached no significance to these acts ; 
 now the recollection of them caused me much 
 uneasiness. I had defied State and Church.
 
 TESTORE 75 
 
 One of the Duca Visconti's courtiers had 
 fallen by my hand, and, a serious offence in 
 those days, I had scarce been to the confessional 
 since the death of la mia bimba. 
 
 Soon after my madcap ride, the priest to 
 whom I had at whiles confessed, visited me. 
 
 *' My son," said he, " day after day thy 
 place is vacant before the altar. Hast thou 
 become a saint that thou canst forego that 
 which is so necessary to all who wish to win 
 Heaven, and escape the pangs of Purgatory ? " 
 
 Promptly I had replied : " Reverendo, those 
 who have sinned greatly oft fear to confess 
 their crimes lest absolution be denied to them." 
 
 It was a fatal answer, for it set the wheel of 
 suspicion, and of espionage, in motion, though 
 at the time I thought but little of the incident. 
 Afterwards, I plainly saw that all the happenings 
 which followed, were the outcome of our talk. 
 
 " And what sin hast thou committed ? " he 
 questioned, peering into my eyes with his small 
 bead-like eyes. 
 
 Reddening, I stammered some reply. I 
 would that I had held my tongue, but the 
 words once spoken, could not be recalled. 
 
 So absorbed was I in my work, that when, 
 at length, the priest bade me farewell, he 
 passed out of myjnind, but now this warning
 
 76 TESTORE 
 
 message brought to my memory his visit, and 
 his words. 
 
 I spoke of this matter to no one, but 
 anxiety preyed on me, and work again became 
 impossible. 
 
 Thus, one day, I sought the air, and, un- 
 consciously, I turned my steps towards the 
 spot where I had first seen my beautiful lady. 
 
 Unaware that I was being followed, for a 
 while I paced moodily up and down, then, 
 leaning against the tree, I spoke my thoughts 
 aloud. 
 
 The door of the past, which I had believed 
 closed for ever, had been opened ; the tiny 
 hinge whereby it swung back being but a few 
 thoughtless words. Thus is the chain of Fate 
 forged with links weak in themselves but, oh, 
 so strong when joined together. 
 
 My heart was very bitter, for had I been a 
 hypocrite, confessing but my lesser sins, the 
 snake of suspicion might have been still 
 slumbering. I sighed, for I had deemed all 
 safe, all forgotten. 
 
 "Angelo mio ! " muttered I aloud. Then 
 a sudden madness seized me. I, who had 
 never before felt the Conte Alfonso's death 
 too keenly, experienced all the pangs of 
 remorse which oft rend a murderer. Strange
 
 TESTORE 77 
 
 are the vagaries of the brain, but, long years 
 after, 1 believe that the stranger, who unknown 
 to me was in hiding behind the tree, fixed his 
 magnetic will on me, compelling me to enact 
 again my part in the doings of that summer 
 afternoon. 
 
 I saw the Conte lying dead, with my sword 
 buried in his heart ; my beautiful lady stood 
 again at my side pointing to the still form. 
 What I said, or did, I know not, but, at last, 
 exhausted, I leaned against the trunk of the 
 tree, and wiped the beads of sweat from my 
 brow and face. I felt as though I had just 
 awakened from a horrible dream. 
 
 My sword was in my hand ; examining it 
 minutely, I muttered : " Clean ! Clean ! See, 
 how it shines ! " 
 
 And, as I gazed fixedly upon it, a shadow 
 fell athwart its blade. 
 
 I looked up. 
 
 The man in green was before me. 
 
 " So, Signore," said he, " you are an adept 
 at sword-play." 
 
 The blood rushed to my face, then receding, 
 left me deadly pale, yet I endeavoured to reply 
 carelessly : " We of Milano pride ourselves on 
 our swordsmanship." 
 
 " So ! " the stranger repeated, with a barely
 
 7 8 TESTORE 
 
 concealed smile -of triumph ; " strange it is 
 that I have not heard of that fact." 
 
 I was speechless. A shiver ran through me, 
 leaving me dull and lifeless. Surely this man 
 possessed some unknown power, for under his 
 gaze I remained mute and motionless as one in 
 a nightmare. His will completely dominated 
 mine. 
 
 " So ! " said he for the third time ; " Signore 
 lacks words ; perchance, he shall learn that 
 there are remedies to cure such a failing." 
 
 And he turned on his heels and left me. 
 
 There are times in the lives of most of us 
 when the peace which we have attained after 
 much agony of soul, is overshadowed by a 
 cloud, which, spreading rapidly at last, enfolds 
 the victim in the darkness of despair. 
 
 And thus it was with me. 
 
 Unconsciously I had prided myself on my 
 self-restraint ; my long hours of work ; now, 
 in a moment, my happiness was destroyed. A 
 short message, and a cloud, small, but threaten- 
 ing, appeared on the horizon ; a chance but 
 was it chance ? encounter with a stranger, and 
 the cloud had assumed huge proportions. It 
 would burst, and who could save me from the 
 deluge ? 
 
 Gradually, however, I became myself.
 
 TESTORE 79 
 
 Danger had never found me wanting in 
 courage, but an unknown peril made me weak 
 and incapable. A sword hung over my head ; 
 I trembled in fear. Let it fall, and I should 
 be strong. Such was the mixture of cowardice 
 and courage in my nature. 
 
 When, at length, I returned home, I sank 
 into a seat, and buried my head in my hands. 
 For a full hour I remained thus. My mother, 
 alarmed at my demeanour, sat by me, waiting 
 for me to speak, for she feared to arouse me. 
 
 Moved at last by a sudden thought, I rose, 
 and entered my work-room. Carefully I lifted 
 those two precious pieces of wood upon which 
 I had not yet begun to work. If the walls of 
 a prison were to enclose me from sun and air } 
 I should at least have these which were so dear 
 to me. So often I had handled them, and 
 dreamed of the part they would yet play in the 
 world. Of a certainty I knew that some day 
 inspiration would seize me, and that more than 
 mere skill would be implanted into the wood. 
 
 My mother, who had followed me, now 
 burst into a flood of tears : " Carlo, Carlo 
 mio, tell thy mother what ails thee ? " 
 
 In a passion of remorse for my selfish 
 conduct, I flung my arms around her neck. 
 
 " Hast thou ever seen a man in a green
 
 80 TESTORE 
 
 cloak peering about this street ? " asked I 
 of her. 
 
 " A man in a green cloak ? " my mother 
 repeated the words, then fell to pondering. 
 The mother-born love within her, told her 
 that this was no mere mood. 
 
 " Carlo mio, such an one as thou dost say, 
 spent a long hour with me yesterday, or was 
 it the day before ? " 
 
 " And what reason gave he thee for his 
 visit?" 
 
 " He had heard of your work as a 
 fiddle-maker, though he himself spoke but 
 little." 
 
 My fears increased. It was not what he 
 had said, but my mother's voluble tongue 
 that I dreaded ; I knew well how she would 
 delight to speak of me, and my pursuits, my 
 moods, and works. A mother oft unwittingly 
 forges a nail for her child's coffin, and never 
 had life and work seemed dearer to me than 
 at this moment when both were threatened. 
 
 And thou " I began, but she stopped 
 
 me. 
 
 " Indeed, Carlo mio, I told him naught that 
 would injure thee. How could I, seeing that 
 thou art so blameless ? What harm is there 
 in those lengthy rambles of thine ? "
 
 TESTORE 8 1 
 
 There is much to regret in my life, but at 
 least I am spared the remorse which would 
 have been mine, had I chided my mother. 
 Checking the angry words which rose so 
 swiftly to my lips I reaped thereby a reward, 
 for, forgotten in these hours of trouble and 
 apprehension, the password of the misanthrope 
 entered into my thoughts, and with such force 
 that I hurriedly tore a leaf from my memoir- 
 book of work, and wrote " Resurgam " across 
 it. Then I impressed upon my mother that 
 if I were taken from her to prison, she must 
 get it conveyed as speedily as possible to 
 Rome, to the Vatican. 
 
 " See," said I, for a commotion without in 
 the street but confirmed this sudden pre- 
 sentiment, " it is of import if thou dost wish 
 to look on me again. Keep the matter secret, 
 and, above all, say naught thereon to the 
 priest, for he is my enemy. Francesco is to 
 be trusted ; he may take it himself, or, at least, 
 he will procure for thee a messenger." 
 
 Bending to her, I kissed her tenderly, and 
 thrusting her before me from the room, I 
 locked the door behind us. Ere the knock 
 was repeated we were in the living-room, and 
 I boldly flung open the street door, for my 
 courage had returned.
 
 82 TESTORE 
 
 " Madre di Dio ! " I ejaculated, when I 
 saw the doorway surrounded by a crowd of 
 people, foremost of whom was an officer 
 accompanied by some soldiers. " I cannot 
 invite you all to enter, for my dwelling is 
 
 small, but " 
 
 My words were cut short by a man, who, 
 stepping forward, thrust the hilt of his sword 
 into my face. 
 
 Although now in a different garb, I knew 
 him for the spy in the green cloak. His 
 narrow, sinister eyes shone with ill-concealed 
 delight. Already, in imagination, his greedy, 
 clawlike fingers counted the golden pieces of 
 the reward which had been offered to any one 
 who could throw light on the death of the 
 Conte Alfonso, or the night attack upon the 
 Abbess and her train. 
 
 His lips had taken those thin lines of utter 
 heartlessness which members of the feline tribes 
 display when their helpless victim lies within 
 reach of their paw. 
 
 I knocked down the sword-hilt, whereon 
 two of the soldiers seized me roughly, and I 
 should have fared badly but that their Captain 
 called out : " And are the Duca Visconti's 
 words so soon forgotten ? Is he a man to 
 forgive those who dare to exceed his orders ? "
 
 TESTORE 83 
 
 Immediately I was released, and turned to 
 him who had saved me from much rude 
 handling. 
 
 " I thank thee," I said, holding out my hand 
 which he grasped firmly, whilst he replied : 
 "Till a man is proved guilty, I hold him 
 innocent ; nevertheless, you must ride with 
 me, for such is the command of our Duke." 
 
 The Captain's men had fallen back, but the 
 evil-looking spy scowled angrily at the cour- 
 teous way in which the officer had addressed 
 me, whereon he bade him begone. 
 
 "You have done your part," said he, "and 
 the quicker we are freed of your presence, 
 the sooner will be the air we breathe the 
 purer." 
 
 Then he, who had spied on me to my 
 undoing, elbowed his way out, for the crowd 
 still clustered round the threshold. My 
 mother, loudly weeping, called upon all the 
 saints, and martyrs to deliver me. My eyes 
 sought for my cousin ; but, alas, he was not 
 there. 
 
 The Captain now took me by the arm. 
 
 "You will come with us quietly," said he, 
 "for thus it will be better for all." 
 
 For answer I bowed. 
 
 " We may not tarry," added he.
 
 84 TESTORE 
 
 I gazed well around the room ere I asked : 
 " Where do you take me ? " 
 
 " Straightway to the Duca Visconti's palace. 
 We are to proceed thither swiftly, and with 
 as little delay as possible." 
 
 I turned to say farewell to my mother, who, 
 flinging her arms around my neck, still sobbed 
 wildly. I comforted her as well as I could. 
 
 " Courage," I said to her, " and remember." 
 
 I dare not say more, but she, checking with 
 a tremendous effort her outburst of grief, 
 pushed the curls back from my brow, and 
 kissing me, whispered so that none might 
 hear : " I will not forget thy words." 
 
 The soldiers, hardened men of war, grew 
 impatient, and would have made us the butt 
 of their jests, had not their Captain's eye 
 held them in restraint. 
 
 Putting my mother from me, I walked 
 unsteadily without. Two horses were led 
 forward, one of which I mounted, and the 
 other, the officer, who, placing his hand on 
 my bridle, said : " I, too, must obey the 
 Grand Duke."
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 OUR way lay through Milano, the rabble 
 following at our heels till we were well with- 
 out the city. "From time to time the Captain 
 observed me closely, but not for a great 
 while did either of us speak. Probaby he 
 expected that I would question him as to 
 the cause of my arrest, but all my life I ever 
 kept a silent tongue concerning that which 
 weighed the most upon my mind. 
 
 Into the late evening we rode ; then halted 
 we at an inn where preparations had been 
 made to receive us, for a table laden with 
 viands and wine awaited us. 
 
 I slept that night in a bed which was also 
 shared by my jailer. The window of the 
 room was small, and barred. Locking the 
 door, the Captain placed the key under his 
 pillow. 
 
 I had supped well, and the wine had 
 
 lightened my heart. Ere turning on my side 
 
 to sleep, I said laughingly : " Art thou not 
 
 afraid lest I murder thee whilst thou dost 
 
 85
 
 86 TESTORE 
 
 slumber for thus I could secure the key, and 
 escape ? " 
 
 " Nay," answered he quietly, " thou wilt 
 do neither. Naught fear I at thy hand, for 
 thou art not of the manner of men who love 
 to commit cold-blooded murder, even though 
 we have not deprived thee of thy weapons." 
 
 It may be that a drug had been placed in my 
 drink for I speedily fell asleep, and slept so 
 soundly that 1 awoke not till I had been rudely 
 shaken many times; even when I struggled to 
 lift my eyelids, I had but a confused remem- 
 brance of all that had passed. Now heard I 
 one laugh gaily, then came the words, " What 
 about murdering me, and flight ? " 
 
 Fully awakened, I sprang to my feet. Again 
 my jailer laughed, yet we were fast becoming 
 friends. Hastily we brake our fast, for the 
 horses were already saddled. That day we 
 rode so hard, that nightfall saw our journey 
 done. 
 
 Our steeds breathed heavily, their flanks 
 were bespattered with flecks of foam as we 
 entered into the courtyard of the Duca's 
 Palace. 
 
 There the Captain and I parted. Another 
 officer led me along many passages till at 
 length we came to a door, so hidden by
 
 TESTORE 87 
 
 overhanging tapestry as to be quite concealed 
 from view. 
 
 A man in waiting there drew a key from his 
 belt, lifted the curtain aside, and, unlocking, 
 bade me enter. 
 
 Instead of the dingy cell which I had 
 expected, and feared, I found myself amid 
 luxurious surroundings. An inner door set 
 wide ajar revealed the delights of a bath, and a 
 couch, whilst the apartment in which I stood, 
 contained besides the costly appointments which 
 had so surprised me, a table laden with deli- 
 cacies. The sentinel gave no sign that he was 
 aware of my astonishment. 
 
 " His Eccellenza will see thee presently, 
 therefore I return soon to conduct thee to him. 
 
 Meanwhile " he glanced at my travel-stained 
 
 garments. I comprehended the look, and 
 instantly replied, " I shall be ready when thou 
 dost come for me." And, indeed, I was eager 
 to be rid of the dust of the highway. 
 
 At the appointed time 1 followed my guide 
 along winding passages until he left me in the 
 charge of one who silently accompanied me to 
 the door of the chamber wherein the Duca 
 Visconti awaited my coming. 
 
 Here he knocked, and we were bidden to 
 enter. On a massively carved chair, his feet
 
 88 TESTORE 
 
 resting on a stool resplendent with jewels, sat 
 the Grand Duke. Before him slumbered a 
 huge hound, and across his knees lay the fiddle 
 which 1 had taken to him that awful time when 
 my heart was torn with grief for la mia bimba, 
 whom I had left at the point of death. 
 
 He dismissed the officer, bidding him wait 
 without. 
 
 And I stood alone before the man who could 
 condemn me to the miseries of a dungeon, or 
 even take my life. 
 
 For some seconds he spoke not, only he 
 looked on me fixedly with his keen dark eyes ; 
 his gaze expressed gravity, but not anger. 
 
 " These are strange tales I hear concerning 
 thee," said he at length. 
 
 Naught of the judge was in his tones, but I 
 remained silent for he had more to say. 
 
 "And what made thee forsake thy craft 
 to become an offender against the State and 
 Church ? The punishment of the one I have 
 power to exact, or withhold, but for the 
 other " 
 
 Then I remembered that his brother was a 
 Cardinal. My heart sank, but I lowered not 
 my eyes, and, since I dare not ask aught, I held 
 my tongue. 
 
 The great beast arose, and fawned on me;
 
 TESTORE 89 
 
 standing on his hind legs, he placed his fore- 
 paws on my shoulders, and licked me lovingly 
 with his huge tongue. 
 
 " Down, sirrah, down ! " 
 
 Immediately the dog obeyed his master, only 
 he crouched low at my feet. 
 
 The air of the room was oppressive ; my head 
 throbbed, my limbs ached, but still the Grand 
 Duke watched my countenance, his chin resting 
 on the palm of his hand. Then, arising he 
 paced the floor uneasily. Then, pausing before 
 me, he scanned my face again, and this time pity 
 was clearly written in his eyes. He laid his 
 hand on my shoulder, saying sadly, " Our love 
 of music unites us. I would that I could 
 deliver thee from this trial, for to-morrow thou 
 wilt be summoned before the Council. After- 
 wards, we proceed to Rome, and it is there that 
 I fear most for thee." 
 
 I essayed to speak, but he shook his head. 
 
 " It is wiser that thou shouldst say naught to 
 me. To-night I am thy friend, to-morrow I 
 shall be but one among thy many judges." 
 
 He summoned his attendant, but, as I turned 
 to go, I think he read in my face the gratitude 
 which I dare not express in words. Alone once 
 more I flung off the courtly apparel, and sought 
 my couch but it was dawn ere I slept, and then
 
 9 o TESTORE 
 
 I slumbered heavily until aroused by my jailer 
 who handed me a note which contained these 
 words 
 
 " A friend is on his way to Rome." 
 
 The handwriting was that of my cousin 
 Francesco. 
 
 The promptness of his action, together with 
 the kind thought of thus sending me news that 
 my plea was on its way to the Vatican, pleased 
 me greatly, for no time had been lost. This 
 message must have followed on our heels. It 
 was not till long afterwards that I knew how 
 good a friend the Captain had proved himself 
 to be, for it was owing to him that this missive 
 had been passed on to me. He had been on 
 watch at the Palace Gate when the messenger 
 had presented it, pleading that it should be 
 given to me. Thus was I saved much suspense, 
 and was thereby enabled to bear myself with 
 courage before my judges. 
 
 No noise from the outside world penetrated 
 my prison. After I had dressed, and partaken 
 of some food, my jailer entered again. 
 
 " His Eccellenza has sent me to ask if there 
 is aught you desire ? " 
 
 " Only my freedom," answered I, " yet since 
 that can not be, some music would solace these 
 tedious hours."
 
 TESTORE 91 
 
 The man withdrew, and I fell to pacing the 
 floor with bent head, and hands whose fingers 
 were tightly interlaced, behind my back. Soon 
 he returned, and with him a page who bore 
 upon a cushion, a fiddle and a bow. Eagerly I 
 seized them, and, in the outpouring of my 
 pent-up feelings, I forgot for the time my fears. 
 I paused but to rest, or to drink. At last the 
 hour came for me to be conducted to the 
 Council Chamber. Even then I would not 
 part with my friend, but retained my hold 
 on it. 
 
 The way was lined with soldiers. So many, 
 thought 1, to guard one poor fiddle-maker. 
 
 A hush fell on the assembly as I entered and 
 took the place assigned to me at the end of a 
 long table, in which position I found myself in 
 the full light, while my judges sat in the shade. 
 The Duca Visconti faced me. He kept his 
 eyes fixed downwards and his fingers toyed with 
 his seal. 
 
 The faces of all present were known to me 
 save that of the Cardinal, who was seated on 
 the right hand of his brother. 
 
 No one spoke, but by the glances cast at the 
 door I perceived that they awaited for some 
 one. For whom ? I, too, directed my gaze 
 towards it and, almost immediately, appeared
 
 9 2 
 
 TESTORE 
 
 the man in green, only now he wore a black 
 cloak which, covering him from head to foot, 
 intensified the pallor of his countenance. Low 
 bowed he to all, but at me he smiled maliciously. 
 The Duca Visconti raised his head, and curtly 
 spoke. 
 
 " Let the accuser state his accusation." 
 
 The spy, narrowing his eyes till they were 
 but mere slits, cringingly answered, " Eccel- 
 lenza, you see in me a zealous son of Mother 
 Church. For years I have served in the house- 
 hold of the Conte Alfonso. We were foster- 
 brothers, and as babes slept in the same cradle, 
 but when 1 had attained to manhood, I took 
 my place at his side as his faithful serving-man. 
 I knew of his love for the Principessa Elvira di 
 Florenza, since many were the missives that I 
 bore from him to her." 
 
 He paused, eyeing the Council dubiously, 
 as if uncertain whether to proceed, but his 
 Eminenza bade him continue. 
 
 So the man went on, only now his voice 
 faltered and trembled. 
 
 "A quarrel arose between my master and 
 Ferdinand di Milano, who wished to be 
 betrothed to the Principessa." 
 
 I became deadly pale at the hearing of these 
 words, for Ferdinand di Milano was the
 
 TESTORE 93 
 
 nephew of the Grand Duke, and a man whom 
 none dared to thwart in any of his desires. 
 
 " Now the Conte Alfonso swore an oath of 
 vengeance when he knew he had so great a 
 rival, and, therefore, he prevailed upon the 
 Principessa to keep tryst with him without 
 Milano, and " 
 
 But here the Duca Visconti interposed. 
 
 " Your statement is too lengthy. It is not 
 our wish to remain long listening to one fitted 
 only to conspire with knaves. Signore," said 
 he, turning to one of the Council, " is it 
 your will h at I question both accuser and 
 accused ? '\ 
 
 He, thus addressed, consented ; but his 
 Eminenza looked askance at his brother. 
 
 Turning to the spy the Duca asked him his 
 name. 
 
 " Tomaso, Eccellenza." 
 
 " And your age ? " 
 
 " Eccellenza, I am scarce twenty-three." 
 
 " And your accusation against Carlo Giu- 
 seppe Testore, fiddle-maker of Milano ? " 
 
 Tomaso, raising his eyes, darted a look of 
 vindictive hate at me. 
 
 " Eccellenza, he murdered my master and 
 then ran off with the Principessa, who, how- 
 ever, escaped from him and sought shelter in
 
 94 TESTORE 
 
 the Convent of the Holy Mother. Afterwards, 
 when this building was burnt to the ground, 
 and the Principessa, in the charge of the 
 Abbess and her nuns, was on her way to 
 Naples, he, with the aid of the devil, captured 
 her anew, and now he withholds from all the 
 knowledge of her present place of abode." 
 
 I checked the hasty exclamations, " Liar ! 
 Dog ! " which rose to my lips, for the Duca 
 had turned to me. 
 
 " Plead you guilty or no to these accusa- 
 tions ? " 
 
 I faced my judges boldly. 
 
 " In so far as murdering the Conte Alfonso 
 the accusation is unjust, for he met his death 
 in fair fight." 
 
 And I related all that had passed on that 
 hot July afternoon so long ago. 
 
 " Canst thou swear that thou knewest neither 
 the rank nor the name of the lady when thou 
 hadst left her at the convent gate ? " 
 
 " Eccellenza, I can swear to it." 
 
 "How came you to meet with her after- 
 wards ? " 
 
 I dare not hesitate, but answered promptly. 
 'The cortege in which the Principessa left 
 Milano was attacked by a band of men. I 
 could not save all. She was the first I chanced
 
 TESTORE 95 
 
 upon, and I forced her to accept my escort to 
 a place of safety." 
 
 " Where did you leave her ? " 
 
 " We rode until dawn, when we met a 
 peasant and his wife : these the Principessa 
 joined. They were her friends, and I left her 
 in their care. Of subsequent events I know 
 naught." 
 
 His Eminenza, the Cardinal, had listened 
 silently to my words, and, when I paused, he 
 spoke. 
 
 " Can you prove that you have wandered 
 far and late at other times ? " 
 
 "Eminenza, I can, for 1 have ever been 
 prone to these fits of wanderings, which often 
 last for days." 
 
 Evil, indeed, was the look that Tomaso cast 
 at me. He liked not my statements, neither 
 the way in which the Council received them. 
 
 His Eminenza coughed. " Why did the 
 robbers not turn on you ? " 
 
 " Eminenza," I answered simply, " I am a 
 poor man, and but a maker of fiddles, there- 
 fore I carry naught that is of value. My 
 friends are many among those tribes who dwell 
 not in cities but beneath the open sky, and 
 these, nothing loth to share the contents of 
 a rich man's purse, willingly give a crust of
 
 96 TESTORE 
 
 bread, if nothing more, to Carlo Giuseppe 
 Testore in return for his music." 
 
 His Eminenza coughed. Rumour spoke of 
 a rough handling he had once received from 
 certain of these my friends, and notes are 
 wanting regarding his courage on that occasion. 
 
 " You can swear that you know naught 
 further of the Principessa, save that you 
 escorted her till she fell in with her peasant 
 friends." 
 
 " Eminenza, I swear it." 
 
 " Now, babbler," said he, turning angrily to 
 Tomaso, " saw you the fight between your 
 master and this man ? " 
 
 The spy's countenance changed. He had 
 counted me a coward. My words and de- 
 meanour under the tree that afternoon, when 
 he spied upon me, had confirmed his suspicions, 
 and his mean soul had deemed it easy to win 
 the reward. 
 
 " I had true information, Eminenza," he 
 stammered. 
 
 " From an eye-witness ? " 
 
 It was the Duca Visconti who now spoke in 
 cold tones. 
 
 Tomaso's trembling " No " was received 
 with anger, and a command to speak clearly. 
 
 Yet he mumbled still lower, while his face
 
 TESTORE 97 
 
 flushed and paled, and beads of fear oozed 
 forth from his sallow skin. 
 
 A light dawned upon me. This knave's 
 suspicions had been verified by my strange 
 behaviour under his magnetic power. But 
 why did he not exert it now ? Why should 
 I be calm, and he so cowardly in speech and 
 manner ? When he had ceased his mutterings 
 I craved permission to speak, and then pro- 
 ceeded to relate the words and conduct of 
 the spy on that afternoon when I had been 
 impelled to react again the doings of that day 
 on which the Conte Alfonso had been slain by 
 my hand. 
 
 " Sorcerer ! Sorcerer ! " one and more called 
 out, for the times were superstitious, and all 
 unaccountable happenings were deemed the 
 work of the devil, or of his satellites, disguised 
 in the form of a man or a woman. He whom 
 they termed " Sorcerer " shook exceedingly, for 
 strange and cruel were the deaths that had 
 been meted out to those who were known by 
 this accursed name. 
 
 Quickly, however, the Council recovered 
 from their excitement and added more notes 
 to their manuscripts. His Eminenza opened 
 his mouth to speak, but his brother had arisen, 
 saying, " We have heard enough for to-day."
 
 98 TESTORE 
 
 In obedience to his gesture the soldiers 
 closed around the man in green, the Captain 
 of whom was bidden to see that chains were 
 immediately fastened upon him, and that 
 should he escape his jailer's life would be 
 forfeited. 
 
 Now the Duca, turning to the Cardinal, who 
 sat with lips compressed and eyes half closed, 
 begged him to purify the air of the room by 
 a prayer. 
 
 Then, addressing me, he added, " I see not 
 the reason why this matter should be carried 
 to Rome ; yet since the Church commands 
 that you shall be there judged of these certain 
 offences, we proceed hither on the morrow. 
 One of my men shall attend you so that you 
 can give him directions as to how we can 
 summon thy witnesses." 
 
 Silently I bowed ; and, once more, that 
 which my tongue dare not utter, my eyes, I 
 hope, expressed, for now I knew that the 
 Grand Duke stood my friend. 
 
 Again within the chamber I prepared the 
 missives for the messenger. This done, I 
 paced the floor, my mind full of the incidents 
 of the last hour. 
 
 Remorse filled my heart. My punishment 
 had already begun, not waiting for the hand
 
 TESTORE 99 
 
 of man to mete out chastisement. I was a 
 liar ; inasmuch as I had withheld facts which 
 would have laid bare my wild intentions. That 
 man is a coward who seeks to avoid the conse- 
 quences of his sins ; yet, at all costs, I must 
 shield my beautiful lady, keeping inviolate her 
 dear secret. 
 
 Long it was before this conflict within me 
 ceased, and evening found me still striding up 
 and down till, wearied out at length, I flung 
 myself upon my couch and sank into a deep 
 slumber, from which I was awakened by my 
 jailer, who had shaken many times before he 
 had fully aroused me. 
 
 " But lightly lie thy sins on thee," said he, 
 when he had succeeded in making me open 
 my eyes. " Thou must attire thyself speedily, 
 for we leave for Rome." 
 
 The heaviness of my eyelids fled. I was 
 wide awake and eager to be on the road, for 
 at the Vatican I should learn what Fate had 
 in store for me. 
 
 " Does my accuser travel likewise with us ? " 
 I queried, and the man replied, " Yes." Then, 
 reminding me that I must ride soon, he 
 left me. 
 
 The Vatican ! My thoughts flew to my 
 misshapen friend. Who was he ? Wherein
 
 ioo TESTORE 
 
 lay his marvellous power ? Why fixed I my 
 hope so in him ? His riches I doubted not, 
 for my eyes had beheld them. 
 
 Ah, that journey ! Slowly we travelled, 
 resting each night at some inn, where we were 
 always expected,- since many comforts ever 
 awaited us ; nor was this strange, seeing that 
 couriers were sent forward each morning to 
 announce our approach. Often the Cardinal 
 would urge his brother to ride with more 
 despatch, but the Duca Visconti heeded not 
 his words. 
 
 And I rejoiced inwardly, for this delay 
 would enable my friends to reach Rome in 
 time for my trial. 
 
 At length the city lay before us, and my 
 heart, sustained with hope till now, sank 
 in utter despair as we rode through its 
 streets. 
 
 Without the Vatican many soldiers awaited 
 us, and the Duca with his retinue was received 
 by an officer resplendent in scarlet and gold. 
 As for me and my escort, we were met by 
 two solemn-faced priests, who brought us to 
 another entrance, through which we passed 
 down a dreary hall into a cold, bare apartment 
 which contained naught save a table, a solitary 
 chair, and a couch.
 
 TESTORE 101 
 
 Here they left me, and now, indeed, I was a 
 prisoner and helpless. 
 
 Sinking into the chair, I buried my face in 
 my hands, whilst hot tears fell unchecked, 
 nor felt I any shame, for a man is no less a 
 man because he cannot always suppress his 
 emotions. 
 
 All that night I lay awake with memories of 
 the past and fears for the future as my com- 
 panions, so that when I arose it was with a 
 weary frame and a heavy head. 
 
 At noon the soldier placed in charge of me 
 entered, and made known to me that one was 
 on his way to speak to me. His manner was 
 friendly, and feeling concern for my wan ap- 
 pearance, he persuaded me to drink some wine 
 and to eat somewhat of the viands which he 
 had brought with him. 
 
 Soon my door was opened again to admit no 
 less than a Vescovo, attended by several priests. 
 I rejoiced greatly that the Duca's brother, 
 the Cardinal, had not accompanied him. He 
 acknowledged my bow with a slight inclination 
 of the head. Seating himself in the one chair, 
 his attendants grouped themselves on either 
 side of him. 
 
 Opening a book which he held in his hand, 
 he took from thence a slip of paper, which he
 
 102 TESTORE 
 
 gave to me. As my eyes saw the writing 
 thereon I trembled, for it was my plea for help 
 which had indeed reached the Vatican, but I 
 knew not yet if the one for whom I had 
 intended it had seen it. 
 
 Quickly beat my heart, a mist rose betwixt 
 me and the forms before me, so that I had to 
 lean on the table for support. A voice I heard, 
 but my confused senses failed to grasp the 
 import of the words, but when I recovered 
 myself 1 became aware that my visitor was 
 regarding me intently. 
 
 "Carlo Giuseppe Testore," said he, "art 
 thou prepared to swear on thy most solemn 
 oath that thou knowest not the abode of the 
 Principessa Elvira di Florenza?" 
 
 Without hesitation I replied, " I am." 
 
 "To-morrow thou mayst be called upon to 
 take an oath to this effect before the High 
 Altar. A friend has intervened for thee, so it 
 may be that thou wilt be free to return to thy 
 home within a few hours." 
 
 Only a caged bird or a mouse, neither of 
 which ever grows entirely accustomed to their 
 imprisoning bars, however great the kindness 
 lavished upon them, could have understood my 
 feelings at that moment. I tried to speak, but 
 the words became confused in the very utter-
 
 TESTORE 103 
 
 ance. I could but bend and kiss his Eminenza's 
 hand. 
 
 " My son," added he, " thou art not yet 
 free, though methinks all points to that happy 
 ending." 
 
 He placed his hand somewhat caressingly 
 on my shoulder. 
 
 "A great man whose name must remain 
 unknown to thee, has assured us that thou art 
 innocent of any intent to offend Holy Church. 
 His will dominates many courts. Even II 
 Santo Padre oft heeds that he may say. It is 
 at his request that I have come to speak with 
 thee. Thy face and demeanour are in thy 
 favour. My son, if thou art wise, thou wilt 
 leave Rome as soon as thy trial is over, for the 
 air here is dangerous for certain sicknesses." 
 
 He tightened his grasp, and his voice rang 
 with true friendliness. 
 
 " Never more," said I, " shall Holy Church 
 have cause to look with anger on her erring 
 son." 
 
 For, as I had been impelled to enter into II 
 Duomo that day on which 1 had received that 
 missive from my beautiful lady that had led to 
 so much, so now the same power dominated 
 me, and a yearning, voiceless but strong, seized 
 me in its grip.
 
 io 4 TESTORE 
 
 " Eminenza, I have been wayward, but only 
 through heedlessness. I am willing to think 
 on these things." 
 
 The eyes of the Vescovo searched mine ; 
 then he pointed to the word upon the paper 
 which he had handed to me. 
 
 " See, my son," said he, " the omen is good. 
 This sustained thy hope, raising for thee one 
 who gave to thee the succour thou didst need. 
 Take it, then, for thy motto, remembering that 
 it means, this sure and certain hope in life 
 hereafter, for the day comes to all when they 
 must lay aside their earthly body." 
 
 He paused awhile, then continued, " If thou 
 dost truly desire it, we will speak again ere 
 thou dost depart." 
 
 He arose, and I knelt to receive his blessing, 
 and as he placed his hand on my head, the 
 seed of belief sprang to birth in my heart, and 
 long after he had gone I remained on my 
 knees, motionless and full of thought. 
 
 No man to whom a great gift has been 
 given can deny the everlasting nature of that 
 talent. He knows that it cannot die, for 
 within him is a spark which will not be 
 quenched, however much he may blind himself 
 to the existence of those powers which guide 
 all mankind. And thus it was with me. That
 
 TESTORE 105 
 
 spark, dulled for many years, had been kept 
 alive through my love for Fanciullina. Sorrow, 
 death, disappointment, had but fanned it to 
 greater strength, and now a prisoner in a 
 strange city, it flamed forth suddenly, bringing 
 to birth hopes to uphold one through the 
 struggles of earth-life. 
 
 My reckless deeds of the past years I could 
 not wipe away, nor could I change myself 
 entirely. Testore I was, and Testore I must 
 remain, but Life, Love, would have for me a 
 purer, higher meaning. I would not mock 
 again at Holy Church for the sake of this man 
 who had exerted so good an influence upon 
 me. La mia bimba and Angela mio were not 
 lost to me. 
 
 Dark and darker became the room. The 
 soldier entered with a lamp, but I would not 
 let him set it down. All night long my 
 thoughts thronged and crowded within me, 
 till worn out I yearned for cessation from 
 the turmoil, and Nature, ever careful of her 
 children, sent a sleep that lasted till close upon 
 the hour of my trial.
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 IT was a magnificent apartment into which I 
 was ushered. A table of carved oak, long and 
 narrow, occupied the middle of the room. 
 On tall-backed chairs sat my judges. The 
 Vescovo was amongst them, but neither the 
 Duca Visconti, nor his brother, the Cardinal, 
 were present. Again all eyes were turned on 
 me as I entered. Those who had escorted me 
 hither, were dismissed and many questions 
 were asked of me to all of which I could reply 
 easily. 
 
 My examination over, the door opened to 
 admit of the priest to whom I had so rashly 
 spoken. A soldier on either side guided his 
 steps as he advanced, swallowing his fear in 
 great gulps. 
 
 " Don Nicolo, we want thy allegations 
 against Carlo Giuseppe Testore, the fiddle- 
 maker of Milano." 
 
 He who thus addressed the priest, spake in 
 a clear but hard tone. 
 
 The Reverendo's lips twitched, his red face 
 106
 
 TESTORE 107 
 
 grew mottled, the few words which he essayed 
 to utter, were confused and indistinct. 
 
 Gazing at him, his interrogator said mock- 
 ingly, " It may be that Don Nicolo is weary 
 from his long and sudden journey. We hear 
 that thou hast but now arrived," he added, 
 turning to the miserable man. 
 
 " But an hour ago, Eminenza," stammered 
 he. 
 
 "And, doubtless, thou who dost serve thy 
 church so well ate but little by the way. 
 Soldier ! a goblet of wine ! " 
 
 Almost immediately it was brought, and 
 handed to the priest whose misery and fear 
 grew apace. 
 
 Poor Don Nicolo ! He dreaded drinking, 
 yet he dare not refuse. He took the goblet, 
 but so much his hand shook that several 
 drops fell to the floor, some journeying there 
 by way of his cassock. 
 
 Again he tried to speak, then overcome by 
 fright, he fell on his knees before the Vescovo. 
 
 " Eminenza, I have no accusation against 
 the prisoner. I have been mistaken." 
 
 " Mistaken ! " repeated this one scornfully, 
 " so our time is to be thus wasted through thy 
 folly. Of a truth, thou hast committed a 
 grave blunder. Mistaken ! "
 
 i o8 TESTORE 
 
 Clearly and mockingly his voice sounded 
 through the chamber, then he turned to me. 
 
 " Carlo Giuseppe Testore, this cowardly 
 groveller, who can scarce be called a man since 
 his behaviour savours that of a beaten cur, 
 complained to us that thou hadst refused to 
 confess to him, fearing that absolution be 
 denied thee. Therefore we deemed thee 
 guilty of some great sin." 
 
 He now addressed the priest. 
 
 " Is there naught of the man left in you 
 that you dare not face him whom you have so 
 unjustly accused ? Shall coward as well as 
 liar be writ against your name ? Arise, and 
 let us hear that which you may have to say." 
 
 With a ponderous effort, Don Nicolo stood 
 upright upon his feet, and stammered forth 
 some story to which all listened with but scant 
 patience. 
 
 When he had finished, one of the Council 
 asked me whether I pleaded guilty, or not, to 
 the accusation. 
 
 " Don Nicolo speaks the truth," replied I, 
 " in so far as I did say to him that a matter of 
 heavy weight lay on my mind ; and although 
 it was not spoken under the seal of confession, 
 surely, had he wished to aid me, he would 
 have acted differently."
 
 TESTORE 109 
 
 " And what so sorely troubled you ? " 
 
 It was the Vescovo who now spoke, and his 
 voice was cool and even. 
 
 Calmly I made answer, " It was the death 
 of the Conte Alfonso." 
 
 " Your plea is good, friend Testore. Don 
 Nicolo has shown a deplorable lack of wisdom. 
 Moreover, he has proved himself to be a 
 craven. Rome needs not such to serve her." 
 He gave the poor crestfallen man a quick 
 look as he said to him that they would speak 
 with him on this affair at some other time. 
 
 The soldiers led him away, and with his 
 passing from that room, his part in my life 
 came to a close. I saw him no more. After- 
 wards I heard that he had been sent to a 
 monastery, and there he suffered severe 
 discipline. 
 
 The spy was now brought forward. 
 
 They attacked him at once on a charge of 
 sorcery, and when he found that it was useless 
 to seek to defend himself, he begged for 
 mercy, confessing that he had acted mostly on 
 suspicion ; moreover, he had been spurred on 
 in his endeavours to harm me by the priest. 
 Also he had found in the neighbourhood of 
 the spot where the Conte Alfonso had met his 
 death, a small saw peculiar to the art of fiddle-
 
 no TESTORE 
 
 making. This he produced, and I knew it 
 for mine. 
 
 Don Nicolo had been stirred to action by 
 hate alone, but the spy's greedy soul had 
 much desired the reward offered by the Duca 
 Visconti to him who should deliver to him, 
 either the person, or the name, of the man who 
 had lifted hand against the Conte Alfonso, 
 and who had dared to rob the Abbess of her 
 charge, the Principessa Elvira di Florenza. 
 
 As my old friend in green proceeded with 
 his tale, I became hopeful, for I felt sure that 
 my part in the death of the Conte would be 
 condoned, since he knew too much for the 
 happiness of many, yet none had dared to 
 strike at him. 
 
 Tomaso, the spy, was soon dismissed ; and 
 Caspar, my gypsy friend, gay and debonair, 
 was the next to appear. 
 
 He gave me an assuring look, bowed to 
 those who sat around the Council Table, and 
 awaited their pleasure. An oath was put to 
 him which he took without hesitation, and to 
 all asked of him regarding my wanderings, he 
 gave satisfactory explanations. He, too, was 
 speedily dismissed. 
 
 My trial was over. 
 
 Now was I conducted to the chapel, where
 
 TESTORE 1 1 1 
 
 my oath was to be sworn. It was lighted by 
 several huge candelabras ; the altar was a mass 
 of flowers, and the presence of the Holy Host 
 was signified by the mystic red light which 
 burnt upon it. 
 
 Slowly and solemnly I repeated these words 
 after the Vescovo 
 
 " In the Name of our Saviour Who died 
 upon the Cross for us ; in the name of the 
 Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of our Adored 
 Lord ; by the lives of the Holy Apostles, by 
 these bones of St. Peter, and St. John, and 
 Joseph of Arimathea " here I was made to 
 place my hand over these relics " and by the 
 precious names of St. Gabriel, St. Michael, and 
 All Holy Angels, I, Carlo Giuseppe Testore, 
 do most solemnly swear that I have lifted 
 neither hand, nor voice, against those of the 
 One True Church, represented here on earth 
 by 11 Santo Padre. 
 
 "And I do promise to obey from hence- 
 forth the commands of Holy Church. 
 
 " May the curse of everlasting torment be 
 on me if I keep not this oath which I have 
 sworn this day before the sacred altar." 
 
 Now followed a prayer in Latin, after which 
 the Vescovo, placing his hand on my head,
 
 ii2 TESTORE 
 
 absolved me. As his words died away, a priest 
 touched me on the arm, bidding me accompany 
 him. Without the chapel we were met by 
 one who delivered a low-spoken message to 
 my companion. Placing his hand again upon 
 my arm, but this time in a tight grasp, he said, 
 " II Pontefice wishes to see thee. Look to 
 it that thou dost bear thyself in a fitting 
 manner." 
 
 I shook myself free impatiently, for I was so 
 weary, and yearned to be alone. 
 
 Along passages, through chambers, was I led, 
 my guide being constantly changed till, at last, 
 one robed in sombre black, relieved only by 
 a golden crucifix, took me in charge, and he 
 ushered me into the presence of II Santo Padre, 
 who, seated in a chair of state, held an open 
 book within his hand. He was not a man of 
 great stature. His pale face possessed clearly- 
 cut features. Great power, and much thought, 
 lay in the depths of his eyes, which likewise 
 had a kindly light in them. Much awed, I 
 knelt, for there was something majestic about 
 this man, on whose shoulders lay such vast 
 responsibilities. 
 
 " Rise, my son," said he ; " much have I 
 heard concerning thee. Thou hast rid the 
 Church of one whom time would have proved
 
 TESTORE 113 
 
 to be a traitor. Thus Heaven oft raises up as 
 an instrument of help, many who otherwise 
 might journey through the space of life allotted 
 to them on earth without having fulfilled their 
 true mission, that of performing an action 
 helpful to those who nurture the soul." 
 
 He paused, but I was speechless. His tones 
 were suave, howbeit I fathomed not their 
 meaning. Ill at ease in mind and attitude, I 
 remained with bent head before him. 
 
 " A friend," continued II Pontifice, " whose 
 name thou mayst not know, petitioned for 
 thee. We owe him much, therefore we have 
 absolved thee of certain offences against us. 
 And we command thee to walk warily from 
 henceforth, for our eyes see all, remembering 
 that we pardon but once, and that rarely. 
 
 " Go in peace, my son, and shun those who 
 make a mock of sacred things. We chastise 
 but to save the soul from the pangs of ever- 
 lasting torments." 
 
 Of my departure from that august presence 
 1 have no remembrance, though all else remains 
 clear in my memory. 
 
 Ere I left the Vatican, I had a long talk 
 with the Vescovo, and always I think of him 
 with affection and respect. 
 
 At length I was at liberty to turn my face
 
 n 4 TESTORE 
 
 homewards. Without in the court, a horse, 
 saddled and bridled, awaited me. An escort, 
 too, had been appointed to accompany me on 
 my way, whose captain gave me a missive, 
 which when opened ran as follows 
 
 " To him to whom I owe the happiest hours 
 of my life. 
 
 " The beast is yours ; keep him in memory 
 of me. 
 
 "These men will conduct you safely to 
 within sight of your city. Their lives pay 
 forfeit if harm befalls you. Their duty done, 
 but not till then, give to their leader in thy 
 handwriting, these words 
 
 " * Ten toes, two feet, two hands, two eyes.' 
 
 " By this I shall know that you have reached 
 Milano in safety. 
 
 "You have had a narrow escape. There 
 are worse deaths than hanging or burning. 
 Princesses are not for men who wear neither 
 ermine nor a crown. I may not be able to aid 
 thee again. Our path in life divides here. 
 Resurgam."
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 OF my journey homewards there is naught 
 worth recording save the events of one day. 
 
 We had halted for our noon-day meal and 
 rest, and I had strolled a short way from the 
 inn, for the village fascinated me. A brook 
 ran down one side of the street, and children, 
 the girls resplendent in bright kerchiefs, were 
 paddling in the gurgling water, for the bed of 
 this little stream was stony. Women, young 
 and old, sat at cottage doors. Afar off the 
 mountains looked grim against the sky, and 
 between us and them lay a verdant land of 
 fruit and fields. 
 
 Eagerly my eyes gazed on this scene, for the 
 merry voices of the children broke my moody 
 silence, so that I even laughed and chatted 
 with them. A bambino fell, and I, picking 
 him up, carried him to his mother. Kneeling 
 down I comforted him, for he had wounded 
 slightly his chubby knee. His tears ceased, 
 and he turned to his mother, saying, 
 "5
 
 u6 TESTORE 
 
 " Madre mia, the Signore is as kind to me 
 as Sister Marie." 
 
 She kissed him, then bade him go and play. 
 
 " He thinks of little else save this good nun 
 since she nursed him a while ago. Everyone 
 loves her. It is but a few weeks back that all 
 our children were stricken by a fever, and she 
 tended to them at the peril of her own life. 
 Many a little one returned from the gate of 
 death to thank her. You are a stranger here, 
 or you would have heard of the wonders she 
 performed. Look ! " 
 
 Rising, she pointed to the distant hills. 
 
 " Can you not see away to the left among 
 the trees a building ? That is the convent 
 where Sister Marie lives. She has not been 
 there many months, for she came to visit us 
 scarce a week ere our village was desolated by 
 the plague." 
 
 A rush of blood suffused my face, then 
 receding, left me deadly pale. Alarmed, the 
 woman inquired if I were ill. And when I 
 answered that I was but hot and tired, she 
 begged me to enter her little home and there 
 rest awhile. This I gladly did, for I saw one 
 of the escort, as was ever the case if 1 strayed 
 too far, or too long, sauntering up and down 
 the street.
 
 TESTORE 117 
 
 Within, it was quiet and peaceful. Sinking 
 into a seat, I drank some wine which the woman 
 brought me. Into her hand I dropped a piece 
 of money, "For the bambino," said I. Many 
 were the thanks that she would have showered 
 on me, but, checking her words, I asked her to 
 tell me more of this good sister, leading her 
 to think that such an one had once tended me 
 through a long illness. 
 
 " Signore, my husband and 1 talk much about 
 her, for I tell him that she was born to be a 
 mother, since every child adores her. And her 
 voice, surely, the Blessed Virgin herself could 
 scarce have a sweeter one. She loves music, 
 for she told me that her happiest hours were 
 when she sang in the chapel. And, one day, 
 she saw a fiddle in the house of Marcelli. His 
 son was ill, for it was at the time of the sick- 
 ness. My boy was out of danger, but his was 
 dying. All night the sister had been with them, 
 and when the little one died at dawn she stayed 
 till it was laid to rest. Ah, the grief of the 
 parents, for they had no other child. Gladly 
 they would have given all they had, even their 
 lives, for her, since she had eased the last 
 moments of the dying babe, but they were 
 poor and could not reward her. Therefore 
 they showed her a fiddle, and begged of her to
 
 ii8 TESTORE 
 
 accept it, saying that she could sell it, and with 
 the money pay for masses for the dead. She 
 took it, but she gave it to me to keep for her. 
 Some day, she said, she would part with it, but 
 for a while she wished to have it near her." 
 
 Quickly my heart had beaten at these words, 
 yet I spoke not till the tale was ended. Then 
 asked I to see the fiddle. 
 
 And she brought it to me. 
 
 " It is mine, mine ! " I cried ; " the first that 
 I ever made ! " 
 
 I clung to it tightly, for the woman, alarmed, 
 tried to take it from me. 
 
 " No ! no ! " I repeated, wild with excite- 
 ment. " I tell you I made it, and it is mine. 
 Give me the bow ! " 
 
 And when I held it in my hand, and drew it 
 across the strings, I knew of a certainty that 
 Sister Marie was my beautiful lady.
 
 CHAPTER X11I 
 
 THERE was a rush of footsteps, followed by 
 loud exclamations, but I heeded them not. 
 
 I had a friend to whom I could pour forth of 
 all my yearnings. 
 
 And, as 1 played, heedless of all which passed 
 around me, a voice was heard to say, " Make 
 way ! " 
 
 The Captain and his men entered the cottage, 
 but they did not stay my music, but, even as 
 the others who had crowded about the door- 
 way at my first notes, they listened intently. 
 Children were hoisted on to the shoulders of 
 their fathers ; work was forgotten ; and I was 
 Testore the fiddle-maker, his soul, freed of 
 pomps and ceremonies, soothed and comforted. 
 
 At last my exaltation passed ; I was on earth 
 with sorrow and loneliness for my boon com- 
 panions. No one spoke. Many of the women 
 wept sadly. The air of the room was unbear- 
 able, therefore I essayed to go forth, but my 
 progress was impeded by the peasants, who 
 implored me to continue playing. Some lifted 
 119
 
 120 TESTORE 
 
 their children to touch me, but to all their 
 entreaties I shook my head. 
 
 Once outside I quickened my steps, and soon 
 left the village behind me. 
 
 Amid some trees which bordered a wood I 
 cast myself down, and, burying my face in my 
 hands, I gave way to the fierce frenzy of passion 
 that tore me in twain. Angelo mio so near, 
 yet out of my reach for ever. I lived again 
 that night so long ago when our two souls were 
 as one, for Love acknowledges no difference in 
 rank ; prince or peasant it is the same. 
 
 My senses ran riot ; tumultuous were my 
 thoughts ; almost it seemed as though unholy 
 spirits spake to me, prompting me to commit 
 actions, base and wrong. 
 
 And then, just as on a sultry day a clap of 
 thunder will suddenly dispel the sulky humour 
 of the atmosphere, my passion died, the evil 
 within me departed, peace fell on me. A little 
 bird near by sang joyously to his mate, and I 
 took for my owVi his message of faith and hope. 
 Lifting the fiddle, so dear to me since her hand 
 had held it, I pushed my way into the wood. 
 
 Soon the dense growth ended, and a great 
 rock confronted me, and at its base a lesser one 
 lay. Above this boulder a streamlet had its 
 source, and falling on either side, parted but to
 
 TESTORE 121 
 
 meet again in a pool on the ground. Bending, 
 I laved my face with the water within it, then 
 refreshed, I sat down upon a fallen trunk of a 
 tree and played again. 
 
 A rustle of leaves, an exclamation, betrayed 
 the presence of a listener other than the dumb 
 creatures of the place. 
 
 Turning quickly, I saw the sombre dusk of 
 a nun's garb. 
 
 Uttering a glad cry of " Angelo mio," I 
 hurried towards her, and though she sought to 
 evade me, I took her in my arms. 
 
 Hastily she freed herself. 
 
 " Angelo mio ! " I repeated. 
 
 She paled, and for a while neither of us 
 spoke. 
 
 " Testore," said she at length, " I serve 
 the Blessed Virgin, and she has answered my 
 prayer that I might look on thee but once 
 again ere I pass to my life of solitude and 
 silence. Carlo mio, help me to be brave, for 
 thou wouldst not in the days to come think on 
 me as having broken my vows." 
 
 Our hands met. We could not help it, only 
 she would not let me kiss them. 
 
 So very beautiful and pure she looked, as 
 she stood before me, that I could but obey her. 
 She was not for me.
 
 122 TESTORE 
 
 " Testore mio," her voice, though gentle, 
 was full of determination, " if," pointing to the 
 fiddle, now lying forgotten on the ground, *' if 
 that will comfort thee somewhat, take it with 
 thee. I must have bidden farewell to it 
 soon." 
 
 " But the woman who keeps it for thee ? " 
 I asked. 
 
 In reply she handed to me a leaflet which 
 she drew from within her robe. On it were a 
 few signs which, she explained to me, the woman 
 would understand. 
 
 In the distance the sound of the cracking 
 of twigs warned me that the Captain was in 
 pursuit, and would drag me back to the 
 mockery of life in the world without my 
 beautiful lady. 
 
 She heard it too. 
 
 " Testore, we must say farewell." 
 
 " Angelo mio ! " 
 
 Faint and husky was my voice. I pointed 
 to the crucifix which she wore. She, com- 
 prehending the glance and gesture, hastily 
 removed it and, together with the chain, hung 
 it around my neck. Swiftly I hid it, for the 
 snapping of brushwood sounded nearer. Ah, 
 death would have been more welcome to me. 
 My lady's eyes were full of supplication ; she
 
 TESTORE 123 
 
 thought but of my danger, yet her heart, even 
 as mine, was torn with agony. 
 
 Now heard we a man's voice, exclaiming 
 angrily, " Peste take this musician." 
 
 The words stirred me to action. I turned 
 and left that spot. 
 
 Another minute and it would have been too 
 late, for almost immediately the Captain with 
 two of his men came within view ; but I, as 
 though unaware of them, pushed forward in a 
 different direction with such speed that they 
 had difficulty in making my pace. Then, in 
 seeming surprise, I stayed my steps. 
 
 " I am music mad," said I, " and I knew not 
 how far I had wandered. Come ! Forgive 
 my humour, for I am minded to hold a feast 
 to-night which shall drive away the memory of 
 your hot walk." 
 
 Relieved at having found me, the Captain 
 fell into the light mood that I had adopted, 
 and on our way back to the village I told him 
 much of my life as a maker of fiddles. 
 
 " I would see that woman again," said I, as 
 we passed down the street, <c for I must have 
 this, though how it came here I know not." 
 
 My companions waited for me without, 
 while I entered again that little home. Im- 
 mediately the woman held out her hand to take
 
 i2 4 TESTORE 
 
 the fiddle from me, but when I gave her the 
 leaflet from my beautiful lady, she was content. 
 
 My escort was glad of a respite for a few 
 more hours. The landlord of the inn was 
 eager to show his capabilities as host. Through 
 the open door we could hear, as we sat drinking 
 wine, his voice vibrating with excitement, as 
 he issued or withdrew some command. And 
 always in answer came the shrill tones of his 
 wife, as she argued with him some point or 
 other concerning the ordering of the feast. 
 
 The clattering of dishes, the protesting cackle 
 of poultry, told us that already preparations for 
 it had commenced. More than once our host, 
 with crimson face and greasy doublet, came to 
 ask my advice in what was to him a matter of 
 import. By my desire we were to partake of 
 the meal without in the air, for I could not 
 endure, even in thought, the idea of a hot and 
 crowded room. 
 
 So when the sun had scarce an hour to 
 run, we sat down to a bountiful repast. The 
 Captain and I were seated at either ends of 
 the table, while the men occupied the sides. 
 The meal began as such meals will, in some 
 restraint at first, a want of ease when eating 
 with one above them in rank, an undecided 
 mind when a choice is presented ; but soon
 
 TESTORE 125 
 
 these drawbacks gave way to light-heartedness 
 and a flow of jest. 
 
 Our hunger satisfied, toasts followed ; the 
 first was drunk to me, and after I had re- 
 sponded to it, the men, one by one, arose to 
 pledge those to whom they owed some re- 
 membrance, or held in esteem. And the last 
 to drink thus, was the youngest of them all. 
 Shyly he drank to his bambina whom he had 
 not yet seen. 
 
 His comrades were inclined to make a mock 
 of him, but arising quickly, I tossed off a 
 goblet of wine to la mia bimba whom the 
 father had not yet seen, and to Fanciullina 
 whom I should never see again ; and because 
 a little spot in their hearts had been touched, 
 those rough men replied promptly to my toast. 
 
 Then a silence fell on us all. 
 
 Strange it is that at such moments a wave 
 from the unseen world strikes some chord in 
 our being which, responding, vibrates, and till 
 these vibrations die away, we, perforce, utter 
 not a word. 
 
 Of such a nature is the silence that falls 
 upon a crowd when a great man passes. 
 
 The spell was broken by an outcry for 
 music, and I was nothing loth ; talking was 
 difficult, for my inner self was wearied out by
 
 iz6 TESTORE 
 
 the doings of that afternoon. Therefore I 
 agreed, but ere I played I pledged the truest, 
 purest lady in Christendom, and surely she 
 would have been touched had she seen those 
 rough soldiers reply to her toast. 
 
 Then the fiddle was brought to me by the 
 young father, into whose fingers I pushed a 
 golden coin which he would have thrust back 
 again, save that I whispered, " To help the 
 wedding-dowry of la bimba." 
 
 Tears came unbidden to my eyes as I lifted 
 the bow, but forcing them back, with a bruised 
 and aching heart I played light and merry 
 ditties to my guests. Then I glided into a love 
 song, an improvisation of joy and happiness. 
 
 The twilight deepened into the soft dark of 
 an Italian night. Near by a nightingale sung 
 lustily. The landlord lit candles which threw 
 fantastic shadows on the faces of the listeners. 
 Beppo, the young father, sat with his face half- 
 buried in his hand ; and his voice, as he replied 
 to some remark, was full of sweet memories. 
 The Captain, too, listened intently ; his head, 
 supported by his hands, was flung back, and 
 his eyes bespoke of much. The stars appeared, 
 faint and misty, then they deepened in brilliancy 
 and colour. The landlord, his duties over, 
 respectfully seated himself a little way off.
 
 TESTORE 127 
 
 His wife, her hands on portly hips, leaned 
 against the doorway ; and, perchance, across the 
 distance that lay 'twixt us and the convent, a 
 nun knelt and prayed for forgetfulness before 
 the altar of her patron saint, Mary the Pure, 
 the Mother of Our Lord. 
 
 The song ended, I arose. The feast was 
 over. On the morrow we would be but fellow- 
 travellers ; yet for these hours we had been 
 united by a bond of sympathy which might 
 endure even after we had parted, and taken our 
 several paths which would lead us to but one, 
 at the end of which friend Death awaits us. 
 
 No one spoke till I turned to seek my 
 chamber, when they surrounded me, and would 
 have shown their appreciation openly had I not 
 begged them to allow me to go quietly. They 
 fell back, and I gained my room without 
 hindrance. 
 
 Next morning we were ready to ride ere the 
 sun was an hour up, but early though it was, a 
 number of peasants had assembled to bid us 
 farewell. 
 
 The road, though it did not approach the 
 convent closely, led towards it. And as we 
 thus rode on our way, I spoke never a word, 
 for my thoughts were all of my beautiful lady, 
 and the men respected my mood.
 
 128 TESTORE 
 
 That midday we only halted to rest our 
 beasts. A few more days of hard riding 
 brought us to within sight of Milano, and 
 then the Captain, his task done, reined in at 
 my side. 
 
 " Signore," said he, u thy city lies before 
 thee, and we have done our duty. Naught 
 now remains for us save to take with us the 
 words which will prove to our chief that we 
 have fulfilled his commands." 
 
 " You will not come further, and rest before 
 you return ? " 
 
 "Nay," answered he ; " disobedience courts 
 death. Not many miles back we passed an 
 inn, and there the landlord awaits us, and we 
 shall be in time for the evening meal." 
 
 So I wrote upon a leaflet those pass-words 
 which would prove that thus far I had journeyed 
 in safety. 
 
 We parted with a certain amount of sadness 
 on either side, for these men bore me naught 
 save goodwill, and I had found them courteous 
 and good company. 
 
 I watched them till they grew small in the 
 distance, then turning my horse's head, I drew 
 not rein till I had entered Milano. There I 
 sought a friend to whom I could entrust my 
 beast, and when I had seen him safely stabled
 
 TESTORE 129 
 
 for the night, I wended my way to II Duomo. 
 The vast, dim aisles were empty save for a 
 few. Seating myself in my favourite corner, I 
 let my mind dwell on all that had chanced since 
 I left home. Of a certainty I knew that I 
 should be watched, yet I feared not, for music 
 would be my sole companion. Never again 
 could I hope for wife, or child, to soothe me 
 when my heart lay heavy within me. 
 
 Within this building which I loved so well, 
 my grief seemed stilled, but there would be 
 hours when the poignancy of sorrow would 
 bear me down. The presence of others often 
 wearied me exceedingly, for mostly I craved 
 for solitude, the beauty of the night, or the 
 magic of the dawn ; yet hours of light-hearted 
 gaiety had so far withheld me from shunning 
 mankind altogether. 
 
 Long I sat thus, buried in meditation, then 
 I arose, and sought my house. 
 
 It appeared deserted. All was quiet within. 
 I paused ere I knocked, and as I stood a sound 
 of one weeping fell upon my ear. I lifted the 
 knocker, but ere it fell, one stayed my hand. 
 
 " Buono Testore ! " 
 
 A comely woman, her eyes red with tears, 
 was at my side. 
 
 " Buono Testore, alas ! thou art alone." 
 
 K
 
 1 30 TESTORE 
 
 Fear gripped my heart. 
 
 " My mother ! " 
 
 She patted my arm in pity. 
 
 " She is gone. She died at dawn." 
 
 I staggered, and but for the support of the 
 wall I should have fallen. Never till that 
 moment knew I how much I loved her, or 
 what I owed to her. Our voices must have 
 penetrated the silence of the death-stricken 
 house, for the door was opened, and I entered. 
 
 They led me to the inner room, and there 
 on her bed, with a nun kneeling on either side 
 of it, lay the dead ; a majestic calm written on 
 her worn face. She was a good woman, and, 
 sad to say, in those days there were not many 
 who could truly lay claim to that name. 
 
 I looked down on her. A crucifix had been 
 placed on her breast. Candles were lighted, 
 flowers were scattered upon her shroud, and 
 the scent of incense permeated the chamber. 
 
 I motioned all away save the kneeling 
 sisters. Then I gazed long at her who had so 
 often and so patiently borne with my morose 
 moods. At last I bent, and kissing the cold 
 brow, whispered very softly, " Resurgam." 
 Replacing the coverlet over the face which 
 never more would lighten with joy at my 
 approach, I left her.
 
 TESTORE 131 
 
 I had loved my mother, but how often in 
 the story of our lives, those to whom we owe 
 so much are denied the outward expression of 
 gratitude for their unselfish devotion. 
 
 They laid her to rest beside the body of my 
 father whom I scarcely remembered, and again 
 I solaced myself with work. I kept my 
 promise to the Church, fulfilling outwardly its 
 many duties, but only slowly was the true 
 spiritual life awakened to growth within me.
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 THREE years passed. Francesco had married, 
 but his wife died giving birth to twins which 
 survived her but a few hours. And now my 
 cousin was again betrothed, this time to one 
 who was a stranger in Milano. 
 
 I liked not the girl. Once Francesco 
 brought her to my house, where she, in spite 
 of my words, invaded my workroom and, 
 with mocking tones, fingered my treasures. 
 Only those two precious pieces of wood, the 
 gift of my unknown friend, were not touched 
 by her, for I put them into a chest, and sat 
 upon it. I could not thrust her from the 
 room ; and over her betrothed she had cast a 
 spell so that he hovered around her, and 
 naught that she did was wrong. 
 
 Ah, Maria, for that was her name, came to 
 be a thorn in my flesh, for she would not see 
 that in no wise could I like her, but she turned 
 her eyes on me ; and had I been taken in by 
 her wiles, my cousin might have been spared 
 an unhappy home, since she would have 
 rejoiced to call me her dutiful husband. 
 
 132
 
 TESTORE 133 
 
 Bah ! I kept the door of my chamber of 
 fiddles locked, even when I was within, for oft 
 did she bribe my cousin to bring her to see me 
 on the pretext of doing some household duty 
 which was lacking in my house now that my 
 mother had gone. 
 
 An old woman attended to my simple wants, 
 yet on my rambles I ever took the house-key 
 with me ; therefore, perhaps, Maria had reason 
 to make loud lamentations over the dust which 
 gathered in plenty. 
 
 By chance I heard of Teresa's death. Once, 
 roaming with my gypsy friends, we camped 
 near her abode, which on visiting, I found in 
 the hands of strangers. They it was who told 
 me much of her, and that her husband had 
 sold the farm to them, and departed, they 
 knew not where. 
 
 That evening I could not play. Instead, 
 I sought a lonely spot, and there passed the 
 night, my heart heavy with remorse at the 
 remembrance of my last words to my faithful 
 nurse. Fain would I have looked on her 
 again, to crave her forgiveness for my cruel 
 mood. At dawn I rose, and sought again the 
 homestead which had so many memories for 
 me, to take farewell of it. 
 
 A few days afterwards 1 returned home.
 
 134 TESTORE 
 
 My cousin had been married during my 
 absence. Indeed it had been to avoid that 
 ceremony that I had joined the gypsies. When 
 I at length paid them a visit, methought that 
 already Francesco regretted his choice. His 
 manner was restrained, and when I bade him 
 farewell he did not ask me to come again soon, 
 as he ever did of old. His wife eyed me 
 boldly as of yore, but my words to her were 
 curt, and I determined to see as little of her 
 as possible. 
 
 Francesco, if he wanted me, must seek me 
 at my house.
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 IT was the birth-hour of the New Year. All 
 alone I had watched the old one dying, and the 
 morrow would see my departure to a new city, 
 for I had resolved to visit Cremona for a while. 
 Times were stormy. Many were the party 
 factions in Milano, and I had no wish to be 
 drawn into any one of them, therefore me- 
 thought to seek a new abode, for too many 
 were the interruptions in my work, and these 
 were days when one had reason to doubt even 
 their friends. 
 
 As I sat thinking of many things, a slow, 
 timid knock sounded on my door. Arising, I 
 opened it, but only a little way. 
 
 With one hand on the hilt of my sword, I 
 asked, " Who knocks so late ? " 
 
 But only a weary cough greeted my words. 
 
 Again I asked, " Who knocks so late ? " 
 
 *' Resurgam," was the startling answer which 
 I now received. 
 
 " Enter," replied I quickly, flinging wide ajar 
 the door.
 
 136 TESTORE 
 
 Again I heard that dreary cough, but out of 
 the gloom appeared a form so draped in a cloak 
 which was also pulled well around the face that 
 I could see naught of the features it thus hid. 
 
 Closing the door, I locked and barred it, 
 then turned to face my visitor. 
 
 The Unknown had dropped his mantle. 
 
 Backward I started in horror and compassion, 
 for a face seared with great scars, an eyeless 
 socket, and a twisted lower lip, confronted me. 
 The one eye, large and grey, held in its depths 
 a world of woe and pain. 
 
 I essayed to speak, but the words died ere I 
 could utter them, and for a while we looked 
 on one another with only that choking cough 
 to break the silence. 
 
 At last I was able to withdraw my eyes from 
 that sight of wrecked humanity, and I pushed 
 forward a chair. Then, with shaking hands, I 
 poured out for him a goblet of wine which he 
 drank greedily. 
 
 Afterwards I heard how he had suffered from 
 the devilish cruelties of Spain. 
 
 The maimed man had once been on the 
 service of the Spaniards, but had failed in 
 carrying out his part of a plot. Nay, more, in 
 a moment of excitement, he had let fall some 
 words which had led to the success of the oppo-
 
 TESTORE 137 
 
 site party, and for that health, manhood, 
 and outer attraction had been taken from 
 him. 
 
 With difficulty he fumbled in his belt, and 
 brought forth a folded paper which he handed 
 to me, at the same time looking furtively round 
 the room with his one eye. 
 
 It was then that I saw that he had but the 
 thumb and one finger on his right hand. 
 
 I refilled his goblet, and bade him drink. 
 The paper, when unfolded, revealed naught save 
 signs which conveyed no meaning to me. Be- 
 wildered, 1 turned to my guest, who again 
 fumbled with his belt. This time he drew 
 forth a missive which he gave to me. The seal 
 thereof bore a skull pierced with a dagger, on 
 whose point a butterfly poised ; encircling 
 these was that word so potent in meaning, 
 " Resurgam," and all the while, save the one 
 utterance at the door, no other sound had 
 escaped the lips of this strange man. I opened 
 the letter with care, for I would not damage 
 the seal, the crest of which fascinated me. 
 
 And these were the words it contained. 
 
 " Tarry yet in Milano. Seek not the air of 
 a strange city. Within three days, or three 
 weeks, ye shall receive that which shall aid
 
 138 TESTORE 
 
 thee to read the paper which I commanded my 
 messenger to hand thee first." 
 
 There was no signature, yet well I knew 
 whose hand had penned these words. 
 
 Many times I read it ere 1 turned to the 
 Unknown, hoping that, perchance, he had 
 somewhat to say to enlighten me concerning 
 this thing ; but in reply to my glance of eager 
 inquiry, he placed his fingers on his lips, and 
 pointed to the door. 
 
 Ere I could cross the space, 'twixt it and me, 
 the New Year was born. 
 
 The stranger gave way to a hoarse chuckle, 
 whether of mirth or of dismay I could not tell. 
 
 " It is late," I remarked ; " I can give thee 
 supper and a bed." 
 
 But for answer I received only a gesture of 
 refusal, and, in compliance with his anxious look 
 towards the door, I raised the bar, turned the 
 key, and held it open for him to pass through. 
 Into the gloom of the night he slipped, and 
 only that choking cough told me as to the 
 direction in which he had turned his steps. 
 
 When alone, I remained standing beside the 
 lamp, reading again and again that message. 
 Then I spread the paper on the table before 
 me, and for long I sought to pierce its secret.
 
 TE STORE 139 
 
 But in vain. When at last I withdrew to my 
 chamber, a vexed impatience, a restless wonder, 
 kept me awake, and not till dawn did I fall 
 asleep, and even then I slept but a short 
 hour. 
 
 The rain was falling in a thick grey mist 
 when I unbarred the door, intending to fetch 
 the woman who did my household duties ; and I, 
 who loved so much the warmth and light of the 
 sun, considered ere I braved the damp without. 
 To-morrow would do. I turned to the comfort 
 of a warm room, and stove. There I spent the 
 morning poring over the signs. Once, me- 
 thought that I had found a clue ; but like a 
 flash it came and went, and after, all seemed 
 more hopeless than ever. 
 
 u Peste ! " exclaimed I at length aloud ; 
 " the day goes, and naught has been done." 
 
 After having partaken of some wine and 
 bread, I sought to fix my mind upon the 
 mixing of some varnish, but in vain, for my 
 thoughts still clung to the mysteries of that 
 paper, and evening found me still endeavouring 
 to decipher it. 
 
 Days passed, and the secret it contained was 
 not yet revealed to me, for I had not received 
 the promised key. 
 
 Then, one night, ere I lay down to sleep,
 
 1 40 TESTORE 
 
 a gentle rap sounded on my door, followed 
 speedily by a louder one. 
 
 Recklessly I flung it open. Without stood 
 a man holding the bridle of a horse. 
 
 And this time my eyes gazed not on one 
 robbed of all his outer attractions, as well as 
 his manhood, but a gallant who thought well 
 of himself and his appointments. 
 
 " Fair weather to thee, friend ! " said he, 
 heartily. " May I enter ? But where can 
 my beast be stabled ? " 
 
 To the last query I replied, " I am sorry 
 that I have no stall for your beast ; the hour 
 is late, and all asleep, but there is naught to 
 prevent him sharing our company if he will." 
 
 His master laughed. 
 
 " So be it ! Ho, Rollo, for once thou shalt 
 share the same roof as thy master," and he led 
 the animal, a beautiful chestnut, into the room. 
 
 Within the inner chamber my lamp still 
 burnt, and there I brought my visitor. Then 
 I set food before him, and he, nothing loth, 
 attacked the viands hungrily, for he had not 
 broken his fast for many hours. He was 
 as good to look upon as that other night 
 messenger had been repulsive. 
 
 I longed to hear that he might have to say, 
 but he said not a word to enlighten me as
 
 TESTORE 141 
 
 to the cause of his visit. Instead, he talked 
 of divers matters, whilst I replied as carelessly 
 as I could, seeking to hide my true thoughts. 
 Nevertheless somewhat of curiosity as to his 
 mission must have shown itself in my face, or 
 been betrayed in my voice. 
 
 My guest, for his part, spoke and acted as 
 one who holds a great favour in store, but 
 chooses his own time for the bestowal of it. 
 
 Thus an hour or more passed. 
 
 From time to time his glance rested on me, 
 and there was much humour in his eye that 
 at the same time carried with it a look of 
 honour, and courage. 
 
 Presently he yawned, and stretched himself 
 as though from utter weariness. Fearful of 
 seeming inhospitable, I begged him to stay the 
 night. He accepted the offer eagerly, and 
 withdrew to my chamber, whilst I attended to 
 his steed, easing him of his saddle and bridle. 
 I gave him, too, a drink of water, promising 
 him a good feed early in the morning, for as 
 soon as it was light I would go in search of 
 provender. 
 
 Then I, too, sought my couch. 
 
 Mystery again wrapped me in its heavy 
 folds, and try as I might, no corner could I 
 raise, nor could I turn my thoughts from that
 
 142 TESTORE 
 
 which so baffled me. It became a torment, a 
 thing of horror ; and at length I rose and, 
 lighting a lamp, I pored over that paper through 
 the long hours of that sleepless night. Dawn 
 had scarce grown to full light when the sound 
 of footsteps warned me that my guest was 
 already astir. Hurriedly I pushed the paper 
 into my doublet, and set about preparing a 
 meal. That done, I hastened to procure some 
 hay for the horse, but on my return man and 
 beast had gone. 
 
 Despair filled my heart, for I had thought 
 myself so near to the solving of that riddle, 
 and yet I had received neither word nor sign 
 to enlighten me. Angrily and impatiently I 
 flung myself on to a chair ; then, after a while, 
 worn out, I entered into my chamber, and 
 there, on my couch, lay a bulky, heavily sealed 
 letter. Wildly beat my heart. Fool ! fool ! 
 not to have examined my room sooner. 
 
 With trembling hands I opened, for, surely, 
 within I should find the key to the knowledge 
 I so much desired. 
 
 A map came first to light, but within it lay 
 a missive. 
 
 " Friend ! One more service I seek to do 
 thee ere our paths divide for ever. I sent not
 
 TESTORE 143 
 
 these papers of import by one messenger, lest 
 they might fall into the wrong hand. Together 
 they are priceless, but separated they are of no 
 avail. 
 
 " My time on earth fast draws to its close. 
 My riches are immense, and for thee I have 
 hidden much treasure, but seek it not until a 
 third messenger brings unto thee word of my 
 death." 
 
 Then followed the key to the reading of that 
 paper, for each mark might mean one or many 
 words according to its place, and these must 
 be read in conjunction with the signs upon the 
 map. 
 
 Now, indeed, it would become possible for 
 me to comprehend the mystery which had so 
 long remained a secret to me; yet even with 
 this help, and though I spent long hours upon 
 this arduous task, the days grew to a week ere 
 all was clear to me. 
 
 And then my brain reeled, almost my senses 
 left me, hardly I could believe that which my 
 own eyes read ; yet not a word was wanting in 
 the tale which told of a vast hoard of treasure 
 in waiting for me riches so immense that one- 
 tenth of them was a fortune. 
 
 But, presently, the thought assailed me that
 
 i 4 4 TESTORE 
 
 too late this wealth had come into my life. 
 Years ago they might have paved my way to 
 much that I desired, for money can buy power. 
 Even the Principessa Elvira di Florenza might 
 have been mine.
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 FROM that time my mind became obsessed 
 with the thought of this immense wealth that 
 was in store for me, till at last the devil of 
 avarice entered into me. Again I was moody, 
 idle, dissipated. Testore the fiddle-maker, the 
 lover of all things of beauty, was lost in 
 Testore the sordid. 
 
 During these evil days, a priest, a new- 
 comer to Milano, visited me frequently. He 
 was a worthy man, with a true heart, and 
 many were the talks we had. 
 
 One evening as we sat drinking wine, our 
 speech was of miracles, and the casting forth 
 of devils. 
 
 " Friend ! " said he, for I had mocked and 
 sneered at his words, " thou deemest that such 
 things be not, but of a truth they have been, 
 and still are." 
 
 He raised the goblet to his lips, and after 
 
 drinking a long draught, he set it slowly down. 
 
 Then looked he at me long and earnestly. 
 
 My soul, yea, my soul, or was it the evil 
 
 L M5
 
 146 TESTORE 
 
 spirit within me ? trembled beneath his gaze, 
 which bespoke of purity of heart and thought. 
 And I knew this man, -who hated all things 
 vile, would fain cast out from me the devils 
 that possessed me, that I might once more 
 become the Testore of old. 
 
 With bravado I spoke of the Christ, calling 
 Him an impostor, a liar, one who had bribed 
 many to say that they had witnessed things 
 which never were. And still, as I .raved, the 
 God-like look within the priest's eyes spoke 
 to me, though never a word escaped his lips. 
 
 And I knew myself for a creature of 
 exceedingly great vileness. 
 
 At last, writhing under that unspoken 
 accusation, I rose, and hurled forth curse after 
 curse upon the priest himself. Even then 
 he remained silent till I was worn out by 
 my impotent rage. 
 
 Arising, he stretched out his hands over 
 me, signing me with the Cross, whilst saying 
 at the same time the prayer for the exorcism 
 of an evil spirit. Then he left me. 
 
 A demoniacal fit of laughter seized me, and 
 when it had passed, I lay back, utterly spent, 
 in my chair. 
 
 A week passed. The priest sought me 
 not, nor I him.
 
 TESTORE 147 
 
 For days I had not played a note, or even 
 touched one of my beloved fiddles. Surely, 
 with these messengers, and the papers which 
 they had brought, had entered a devil into 
 my home, which, taking possession of me, 
 made me worse than mere beast. 
 
 Then one evening word came to me, even 
 as it had been promised, that the riches were 
 mine, for the owner of them had departed the 
 earth, leaving all behind him save his deeds ; 
 and this, his last act of all, perchance atoned 
 for much that had been sinful in his life. 
 
 A letter, sealed with the seal I so well 
 knew, was enclosed within a cover which bore 
 on the outside that word which had proved 
 such a talisman in my life, " Resurgam." 
 
 " Friend ! I go the way of all flesh. I have 
 wronged many. Those of power and rank 
 know me well. I, in my desire to gain wealth 
 and amass things of beauty, have committed 
 awful sins. By my aid court intrigues have 
 been brought to a successful end. Statesmen 
 have been made or marred as I ordained. And 
 I have done much for Holy Church, which 
 has enriched those already fat with too much 
 wealth. Widows owe to me their desolate 
 hearths and homes. I have made war, and I
 
 i 4 8 TESTORE 
 
 have kept peace. Crowns likewise have been 
 placed on princely heads at my will. Yet 
 never has a man been so utterly alone as I 
 in whose veins flows the blood of a king. My 
 mother I never knew. She loved, alas, too 
 well, and as a reward, lost honour, name, 
 and her place at a great court. She died, and 
 rumour speaks of a slow poison, and a secret 
 room. They killed the mother, but I, a mis- 
 shapen creature, lived. They would have 
 strangled me at birth, but dare not, for the 
 curse of a dying woman is feared, and ere 
 I saw the light she cursed those who had 
 wronged her so cruelly, and bade those around 
 beware how they dealt with her unborn child. 
 
 " Thus was I saved. 
 
 " I grew up in years, if not in stature. 
 
 " Within my dwarfed and crippled frame 
 was a brain of prodigious capacity, and a 
 retentive memory. No statesman born could 
 conceive, or grasp, connect, or plan, more 
 rapidly than I. Behind a screen, I was the 
 one who held the string of Fate, achieving all. 
 
 " Yet I lived alone. 
 
 " None have I loved, and no one has loved 
 me. Earth held naught for me till I saw thee, 
 then my soul, if soul I have, cried out to 
 thine. Heaven I denied ; Hell likewise. We
 
 TESTORE 149 
 
 died ; we rotted in the earth. Yet I chose 
 as my pass-word * Resurgam,' why, 1 know 
 not. The grave awaits me. To thee I leave 
 much, and the knowledge is now thine how 
 to secure it ; but guard thy secret well, for 
 there are those who would rob thee of it. 
 
 " Nevertheless, a spark of that I know not 
 how to name, which in spite of my belief 
 I cannot kill, bids me tell thee, leave it. 
 Leave it, my friend, forget it. Through the 
 grossest of cruelties, by acts of utter selfish- 
 ness, at the cost of human lives I gained these 
 riches. A curse clings to each portion thereof. 
 Too late I see it. The papers are already in 
 your power ; but lest, even while I deny it, 
 there should be a better world, I beg thee, I 
 implore thee to leave this treasure where it 
 lies hidden. 
 
 " My hands still retain the threads of much, 
 but ere the passing of another day I shall 
 have relinquished them. Already part of me 
 is dead ; only heart and brain live on for yet 
 a few more hours. Unless thou wouldst die as 
 I do, alone and unloved, forget the accursed 
 treasure. I know so much that others know 
 not, for spies obey my bidding everywhere, 
 and I tell thee, the Principessa Elvira di 
 Florenza still loves thee. Thou dost start.
 
 150 TESTORE 
 
 Little thou didst think to hear of her again, 
 but far away she lives and suffers in her 
 loneliness and despair. 
 
 " For her sake, if not for my words, remain 
 as thou art, thyself, and a man. 
 
 " To many I have done wrong ; but to 
 thee none save in leaving thee my wealth. 
 
 "A mist envelopes me. Farewell. 
 Resurgam." 
 
 As I read this missive the devil of avarice 
 rose up within me in fierce warfare against the 
 pleadings and warnings addressed to me by 
 one who had drunk to the dregs the cup of 
 human sufferings. 
 
 Hell raged within me. Evil beings clutched 
 at and held on to my each thought lest, per- 
 chance, I should tune them to a purer pitch. 
 I stretched out my arms as if to grasp the 
 treasure and hug it to my heart. Fierce, 
 burning, maddening desires raced through my 
 head. Surely, already the curse of those from 
 whom so much had been wrested, worked in 
 me as fermented wine will in the veins of 
 deep drinkers. I babbled aloud of wealth and 
 power, laughing in exultation at the thoughts 
 of the realities which should be mine. Horrid, 
 grinning faces were before me. Silent lips
 
 TESTORE 151 
 
 mouthed unseemly words at me. The air was 
 hot and heavy as the breath of those who lay 
 stricken by fever. Deadly passions raged 
 within me. And so the hours passed. 
 
 I filled a goblet of wine, but ere I could 
 carry it to my lips, unseen hands laid their 
 grip on mine, whilst those foul faces mocked 
 and gibbered more exultingly than ever. 
 
 There is a Hell, and each soul creates his 
 own, yet if but one pure soul enters therein, 
 Heaven may, perchance, be won. 
 
 I threw the goblet down. 
 
 A shriek of impotent rage resounded through 
 the air. Vibrations of agonised fears circled 
 around me until my eyes closed to earth and, 
 as in a dream, I felt the return of purity 
 to my soul. 
 
 A gentle touch was on my brow, cool hands 
 wiped the dark sweat from face and neck. 
 The air lightened, healing breezes calmed the 
 fierce throbbing of my heart ; voices lulled 
 my seething passion, and I sank into sweet 
 forgetfulness. 
 
 It may be that spirit forms bore me upwards, 
 for the soft flutterings of wings surrounded 
 me ere I lost consciousness. I opened my 
 eyes and, behold, methought that I was not. 
 Innumerable white-robed beings encircled me,
 
 152 TESTORE 
 
 and even as I held out my hands to them 
 I fell till body and soul were united once again. 
 
 Then sorrow bathed my eyes, and I awoke. 
 
 I uttered an exceeding bitter cry to find 
 myself again of earth, for I had tasted bliss. 
 
 The broken goblet lay beside me, the red 
 wine trickled across the floor, and near by lay 
 the fateful letter, bespattered with red drops, 
 but I was saved. 
 
 The evil host had departed, but lest they 
 should return in sevenfold strength, I prostrated 
 myself and prayed aloud for freedom from the 
 devil's thrall. And even as I thus pleaded for 
 help and strength, I felt the air quiver with 
 the silent pulsations of angels' wings, and lo, 
 Fanciullina was before me. 
 
 She had spoken true, this angel child. 
 
 " Babbo shall see me again." 
 
 Long and eagerly 1 gazed at her. 
 
 She stood there with a glorious light sur- 
 rounding her, and peace and happiness were 
 reflected in those dark eyes which while on 
 earth had held naught save purity within their 
 looks. One hand she held out to me, whilst 
 with the other she pointed to that which, clearly 
 visible to her, was not revealed to me. Her 
 lips, half-parted, breathed a message which, 
 although unspoken, I yet comprehended.
 
 TESTORE 153 
 
 Arising, I stretched out my arms towards 
 her. She smiled, and turning, pointed again 
 beyond herself to that which still remained 
 hidden from my eyes. 
 
 Then she was gone. 
 
 With staggering limbs and trembling lips I 
 took from out their hiding-place those cursed 
 papers, and, together with the letter, I tore them 
 into fragments. And these I placed within a 
 brazen bowl and set alight, and as I watched 
 them burn, my door was opened by the priest. 
 
 And his face, too, bespoke of inward strife. 
 
 The hour was late, but we heeded it not. 
 
 " Friend," said he, " to-night thou hast 
 tormented my peace; for, as I knelt and prayed 
 before the Cross of our dying Saviour, a Voice 
 bade me go and succour thee, for It said, ' A 
 legion of devils tear and torment him. Hell 
 rages around him, and Satan hopes to count 
 among his host one more to carry on the vast 
 work of unbelief.' 
 
 " When this Voice had ceased, another spoke. 
 
 " c Tarry not ! Go with speed, and pray 
 without ceasing, lest the Evil One rejoice 
 exceedingly.' 
 
 " And my soul poured itself out in bitterness 
 lest help be denied thee. 
 
 " But as I clothed myself, my fear lightened ;
 
 154 TESTORE 
 
 and now, behold, thy face tells me that the devil 
 has been foiled, for God and His angels have 
 prevailed. The evil is rent from thy heart, and 
 all is well." 
 
 In silence I bowed my head, and pointed to 
 the smouldering embers which told their own 
 tale ; and after the recitation of the prayer from 
 one from whom an Evil Power has been 
 exorcised, I told him all my story. 
 
 Ere I had done, the dawn had crept in on us. 
 
 And the priest led me to the window, through 
 which shone the glowing colours of the rising 
 sun. 
 
 " May He Whose Power will guide that 
 brilliant orb till time has passed, and earth is 
 not, pour His Strength and Truth into thy 
 heart. 
 
 "Thanks be to Him Who hath already 
 vouchsafed to thee deliverance from the Evil 
 One by the help of His Gracious Messengers." 
 
 And " Amen " said I fervently, with closed 
 eyes and bent head.
 
 PART II 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 IT was the year 1688. 
 
 Rumours had reached us of the unrest of 
 that country whose safety is so well guarded by 
 the many waters which surround her, and often 
 the priest and I talked on this matter. 
 
 He, as a good Catholic, leaned towards that 
 unhappy monarch who was so soon to be a 
 wanderer and an outcast, dependent on France 
 for his very sustenance. 
 
 Since that night when so much of the 
 marvellous had been revealed to me, I, too, 
 had been a good son of the Church outwardly, 
 but to none I spoke of my inner thoughts, nay, 
 not even to the man who had proved himself to 
 be my friend. 
 
 I knew that there was no harm, nay, good, 
 in my sharing the services with others in 11 
 Duomo. Confession and Mass I attended at 
 the set hours ; the poor-box received my weekly 
 dole, yet these ceremonies were for me the
 
 156 TESTORE 
 
 empty shell of religion. Neither worthless 
 nor unnecessary deemed I them, since the time 
 was not yet when man could nurture his soul 
 without the visible tokens which were but 
 symbolical of so much. But one to whom 
 spiritual visions have been granted, needs not 
 the outer signs to teach him of the hidden 
 mysteries of life. 
 
 The cover of a book is of small moment 
 to the scholar who craves to learn of the written 
 wonders within ; but if it attracts those who 
 otherwise would let the book pass by, then 
 is its outer appearance of import to many. 
 
 I had aged greatly during these past years. 
 Still young as men count time, my hair was 
 tinged with grey, for that awful night had left 
 its mark on me. 
 
 I lived much alone, spending my hours in 
 the study of languages when not at work upon 
 my beloved fiddles. 
 
 One evening, the priest, who was now Vescovo 
 di Milano, came to me with eyes aglow and 
 features alive with excitement, for he had 
 received a command from Rome to journey to 
 England, and there to perform a certain work 
 which he kept secret from me. As a layman 
 he was to travel, but could take with him a 
 companion whom he could trust, one who
 
 TESTORE 157 
 
 might be an aid to him and his Church, should 
 occasion arise for such help. 
 
 And he chose me, and since 1 wished to see 
 strange lands, I was only too glad to avail 
 myself of the offer. 
 
 The mission brooked of little delay, therefore 
 we speedily made preparations, and within a few 
 days were ready to set forth.
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 OUR way lay through Flanders, and hence, 
 by ship across that sea of which 1 had so often 
 heard, for men had spoken to me of the anger 
 of its waves, and the glories of its calm. 
 
 We were disguised as two merchants who 
 traded with the English port of London. We 
 had been provided well with money, and like- 
 wise, the Vescovo carried letters to introduce 
 us to certain houses in that city. 
 
 We journeyed slowly, my friend taking note 
 of all that chanced by the way, for this was part 
 of his work ; and each night ere we lay down to 
 rest, he wrote in signs, unknown to me, that he 
 considered worthy of remembrance. 
 
 We reached the coast in safety, and there we 
 boarded the ship which was to carry us to that 
 town of strange people, and ways, where the 
 sky is grey, and night oft extends all day. 
 
 Ah me ! I liked not that voyage. Our 
 
 bark was tossed hither and thither. The sea 
 
 was as a live monster, and we, its prey. For 
 
 hours I lay upon my back, and my companion 
 
 158
 
 TESTORE 159 
 
 was one long groan. As for the food, I could 
 not eat it, for it was so coarse, and 1 knew not 
 the name of the dishes that were set before us. 
 
 We were weary-looking strangers when we 
 stepped on to England's shores, and though 
 we both thought that we knew the speech of 
 this country, yet comprehended we not the 
 swift flow of words which greeted our several 
 questions. 
 
 On this side and that we were jostled and 
 pushed. Dark looks were cast at us when 
 we at last spoke in our own tongue. 
 
 And ever a stream of people passed by, who 
 stared rudely at us as we stood there with our 
 bales of silk at our side. 
 
 Suddenly a hand fell on my shoulder, and 
 in our own speech we heard the words, 
 " Methinks ye are strangers to this city ? " 
 
 And looking up, I saw that a giant gazed 
 down on me, for he who had thus spoken so 
 kindly was a man of a great height. 
 
 And I poured out our woes to him. 
 
 Quickly he comprehended our difficulties, 
 and comforted us, saying, that he could 
 conduct us to an inn where food was to be 
 had to our liking, and what was more, rest. 
 
 He advised us to leave our merchandise at 
 the port till the morrow, but on seeing our
 
 160 TESTORE 
 
 dubious looks, he assured us that they would 
 be safe, for Englishmen were not thieves. 
 And at these words we looked ashamed. 
 
 He led us through many streets, chattering 
 of the news of the day. His name he said, 
 was Richard Marsh, and he had that very 
 morning despatched a cargo, and had hoped 
 to hear of the arrival of another, but the bad 
 weather had delayed the vessel. 
 
 He was quite at liberty to help us, and 
 would be pleased to see us on the morrow, 
 if we so willed. He made me repeat the 
 names of several things, and was delighted 
 when 1 remembered them. There were great 
 doings, said he, at the present time, for the 
 King was a Papist, which word I soon per- 
 ceived meant Catholic, and his subjects for 
 the most part hated them. Now, though I 
 knew not whether Richard Marsh was one 
 or no, my heart went out to him, he 
 was so big, and yet so friendly, and his merry 
 laugh greatly cheered me. 
 
 " You have come just in time to witness the 
 great struggle 'twixt the King and the Pro- 
 testants," added he. " Were our Majesty a 
 wise man he would withdraw certain of his 
 commands, but the House of Stuart ever 
 helps in its own downfall."
 
 TESTORE 161 
 
 All this was incomprehensible to me, but 
 later I understood much of the fierce opposition 
 'twixt the royal sovereign and his people. 
 
 And whilst Richard Marsh was strongly 
 opposed to many of the King's opinions, he 
 was by no means in favour of the party feeling 
 against him, and afterwards was a partisan for 
 his unlucky infant son who many declared was 
 not the lawful child of James II. 
 
 As the days passed, the blond giant often 
 sought my company, and we would walk 
 abroad together. 
 
 I was with him on that day when all 
 London waited to hear the fate of those seven 
 brave men who had defied their Majesty's 
 commands. 
 
 And when it was proclaimed that these were 
 not guilty, there fell upon that great assembly 
 an intense silence that lasted but a second ere 
 they broke out into that tremendous outburst 
 of joy that shook the buildings, and echoed 
 far till even James's own men responded, and 
 gun and cannon added their voice to the 
 people's wild cry of triumph. 
 
 I alone held my tongue, for a wave of pity 
 passed through me at the downfall of the 
 King. 
 
 " Shout, man, shout ! " and the giant gave 
 
 M
 
 1 62 TESTORE 
 
 me such a prod that truly I did shout, though 
 not for the same reason as the crowd. 
 
 We were tightly wedged in among the mass, 
 and it was some days before I recovered from 
 the bruises that I had received from the push- 
 ing, elbowing men and women, but the one 
 the giant gave me was the largest and the 
 blackest of them all. Alas for me should I 
 quarrel with him. 
 
 " They are mad ! " I cried. 
 
 Hush ! " he replied. 
 
 " Wherefore," I retorted, " all this tumult ? 
 Surely it is not only because these men have 
 been freed ? " 
 
 My companion laughed heartily. 
 
 " Little one," said he, but in such a way that 
 I could not take offence, for I was small beside 
 him, being under six feet, while he was well 
 over it and gigantic of girth, " I see that I 
 must teach thee yet more of this affair. These 
 shouts are not, as thou dost truly say, only 
 because the Bishops have been declared " not 
 guilty," but because to-day heralds in, me- 
 thinks, the downfall of Papacy in this land." 
 
 And Richard Marsh sighed. 
 
 " I am a Papist," I answered boldly. 
 
 u That may be," replied he ; " but thou art 
 neither an Englishman nor a Spaniard."
 
 TESTORE 163 
 
 " I do not understand thee." 
 
 Richard Marsh smiled, saying, " In truth 
 ye can not, for thou lackest our stubborn 
 nature, neither do ye possess the cold-blooded 
 cruelty of the men of Spain. Often I have 
 thought that thou art no merchant ; and as 
 for thy friend " 
 
 I started, but again he smiled. " Say naught 
 to me of him. Perchance, he is not the only 
 one who plays a part in these dangerous times, 
 and appears to be other than that he really is." 
 
 And again my companion sighed. 
 
 Two days after, we sat in the same inn which 
 was our favourite resort. However, presently 
 we strolled forth, and we came to a part of the 
 city that was strange to me ; but it led us to 
 the bank of that river of which the citizens of 
 London are so proud. Halting by a small 
 landing-stage, the giant whistled, and immedi- 
 ately a boat came towards us, rowed by a 
 serving-man. 
 
 Now since I had set foot in this land I had 
 not again imperilled my life upon the water. 
 Richard Marsh laughed when he saw my 
 dubious looks, and sought to reassure me by 
 saying that this would be but a river journey, 
 therefore I took without further ado the seat 
 that awaited me.
 
 164 TESTORE 
 
 Ah ! How I enjoyed our progress down 
 the stream, with its ugly yet fascinating wharfs 
 so laden with barrels that stood ready to be 
 shipped ! We passed, too, ungainly barges, 
 several of which bore on their decks as cargo 
 grunting swine. 
 
 When at last we made our moorings fast it 
 was late in the day, and I hesitated ere I leapt 
 on land. 
 
 " You may not return to the city," said 
 Richard Marsh, " and my house is close at 
 hand." 
 
 " But," 1 expostulated, " my friend will be 
 alarmed if I join him not this evening." 
 
 " Nay," was the answer 1 received, " he will 
 not fear for thee, for he knows of my intent 
 to keep thee as my guest." 
 
 So amazed was I by the way in which I had 
 been entrapped, though courteously enough, 
 for a night's hospitality, that I wondered not 
 then at the change in his voice as he uttered 
 these words. 
 
 We struck a path leading away from the 
 water, and soon came to a high wall, which 
 we skirted until we reached a door with a 
 strong lock. This my host, producing a key, 
 unlocked, and when we had entered the en- 
 closure that lay beyond it, he carefully secured
 
 TESTORE 165 
 
 it again. Then bade he me to say how I liked 
 his garden. 
 
 " It is but a gloomy place," replied I, for 
 instead of a gay parterre wherein gallants would 
 delight to walk with some beauteous lady at 
 their side, I saw but a large square court over- 
 shadowed by huge oaks and beeches. 
 
 "A straight answer," said he. "Yet to- 
 morrow thou shalt walk in my flower-garden, 
 for I have one, though not at this side of my 
 dwelling." 
 
 He led the way across this court to where 
 an oaken door, studded with iron nails, stood 
 slightly ajar. Pushing it open, we passed 
 through to find ourselves in a spacious hall. 
 
 " Deborah ! Deborah ! " 
 
 His lusty voice resounded through it, and 
 the echoes were caught up and thrown back 
 to us from the wall and stairway, down which 
 came hurrying the daintiest Englishwoman I 
 have ever seen. 
 
 She gave a low cry of joy when she saw 
 who it was that stood there, and ran to him 
 with outstretched arms. 
 
 " Oh, -Dick ! Dick ! " said she lovingly. 
 
 He lifted her from off her feet, then set her 
 gently down, saying, " See, I have brought my 
 Italian friend."
 
 1 66 TESTORE 
 
 And I noticed a look which I comprehended 
 not at that time pass between them. 
 
 She turned to me blushing, for she had not 
 known that there was another present when 
 she had greeted her lord so tenderly. 
 
 1 bowed ; but she took my hand, welcoming 
 me kindly. 
 
 " In truth, sir," said she, and the sound of 
 her low-pitched voice was very pleasing to my 
 ear, for I had thought the English speech 
 hard, but I had yet to learn that there were 
 many who spoke as she did, " I am pleased to 
 meet you. My husband," and she uttered 
 these words shyly, " has often told me tales 
 of your country and its treasures." 
 
 Low bent I over her hand as I replied, 
 " Yet, since it cannot claim you as its subject, 
 it lacks much." 
 
 She laughed, in no wise angered at my 
 words. Then said she, " Come, sirs, supper 
 is ready, and I am hungry." 
 
 " Methinks," answered my host, " thy hunger 
 is as naught compared with mine. Now, at 
 last, signore, thou shalt have a royal meal, for 
 I count not the food thou dost eat befitting 
 men." 
 
 And, of a truth, the richly spread table was 
 a wonder to me.
 
 TESTORE 167 
 
 A monstrous pie, surrounded by many viands 
 of which I knew not the name, filled the larger 
 part of the table, which was by no means a 
 small one. 
 
 And added to all these things was a huge 
 portion of meat, which my hostess told me 
 was the famous roast beef of this land, and I 
 must confess that, after I had partaken thereof, 
 I owned that it was good. 
 
 Howbeit, in spite of the strange fare, and the 
 manner in which it was cooked and served, I 
 made a good meal ; and the lady of the house, 
 too, ate not amiss for such a tiny person. 
 
 Methinks the English appetites are like unto 
 their nature, being somewhat big and heavy.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 WHEN the morrow came 1 fain would have 
 departed, but my host said gravely, " Not 
 to-day." 
 
 And there was that in his voice and manner 
 which told me that some mystery was afloat 
 in which I unknowingly played a part. 
 
 Moreover, I felt somewhat of a prisoner in 
 this house, surrounded by those high walls 
 impossible to scale ; but when I spake thereof 
 to Richard Marsh, he smiled, saying, " Never 
 had a man a more faithful friend than I, but 
 there is still much turmoil in the city, and the 
 dislike of strangers that is bred in the bones 
 of most Englishmen, makes me fear for thee 
 till these turbulent days be passed." 
 
 " But my friend " 
 
 " For him thou needst have no fear, and he 
 knows that thou art safe with me." 
 
 "If I could but send him a message." 
 
 "Thou mayst, if thou wilt permit that I 
 bear it to him." 
 
 My host was absent all that day, and on the 
 168
 
 TESTORE 169 
 
 morrow as well, and they were long days to 
 me. I strolled about the garden, chattering 
 with Mistress Marsh, but my heart was in 
 the city, and I disliked exceedingly these long 
 hours of forced inaction. 
 
 I yearned for my land, and when at last 
 Richard Marsh returned there was that in his 
 demeanour which forbade me to question him, 
 and thus some days passed. 
 
 Long hours I spent in playing, and if my 
 music sounded full of despair it but voiced my 
 thoughts, for I was so weary of my enforced 
 sojourn in this house of mysteries. For I had 
 noticed oft the comings and goings of many 
 men ; and one day, by chance, I entered a room 
 which was new to me, and before I could 
 retreat, my quick eyes had seen a crucifix, and 
 Mistress Deborah was on her knees before it. 
 
 Was her husband a Catholic in disguise ? 
 
 His wife was one, for the look upon her 
 face as she knelt there told me that she was 
 one who would sacrifice all for her faith. 
 
 One morning, as usual I betook myself to 
 a room, an oak-panelled apartment, whose 
 gloominess appealed to me in my mood of 
 doubt and perplexity, and there I began to play. 
 
 A faint rustle, a half-checked sigh, fell on 
 my ear.
 
 i yo TESTORE 
 
 I turned. 
 
 My God ! It was my beautiful lady ! 
 
 She placed her finger on her lip, for foot- 
 steps warned us that some one was nigh, but 
 they passed on. Then she spake rapidly to 
 me. Her eyes shone with excitement, which 
 likewise vibrated in her tones. 
 
 " Testore ! A meeting of import will be 
 held here this night. And if they ask thee, 
 although thou mayst not fully understand the 
 wherefore of this request to do aught for 
 them, then, Carlo, do that that they may ask 
 of thee. The Church punishes, but she can 
 likewise reward." 
 
 Low bent I over her hand, and would have 
 kissed it, but she drew it away from mine. 
 
 " Not yet, Testore ; first fulfil my behest, 
 nay, the behest of the one true Church, and 
 remember, those who aid her are blessed." 
 
 Her fingers clung to the tapestry which 
 hung from the wall. So overwhelmed was I 
 that methought I dreamt, and dreaming, must 
 awake. Fain would I have said so much to 
 her, and yet I was mute. My eyes gazed 
 longingly on her, while life and hope surged 
 in my veins. 
 
 a Testore mio ! " 
 
 She lifted the curtain.
 
 TESTORE 171 
 
 Could I let her go ? 
 
 She turned, her face alit with a glorious 
 smile. 
 
 " Remember, do that they ask thee ! " 
 
 The tapestry had again dropped into its folds, 
 and still I stood speechless and motionless. 
 
 The sound of the closing of a door recalled 
 me to myself. 
 
 Lifting my fiddle, I played with all the 
 passion of a soul who, while sorrowing for lost 
 joys, awakes to happiness. 
 
 A man's hearty voice resounded through 
 the hall, and Richard Marsh entered into the 
 room. As I turned to greet him, I saw that 
 hope had visited him, for his eyes shone with 
 eagerness. Taking my hand, he grasped it 
 tightly, while he spoke excitedly and with 
 determination. 
 
 "Testore, I beg of thee a boon. It is no 
 slight thing that thou alone canst do for us. 
 To-night men meet here to confer on great 
 affairs, and votes will be taken as to our deci- 
 sion ; but ere they are cast, I shall place my 
 hands so," and he laid his right across the left, 
 " then thou wilt play, Testore, even as thou 
 didst play when I came in to thee. Methinks 
 thereby men's hearts will be touched, and 
 right shall prevail."
 
 172 TESTORE 
 
 I knew not what to say. Methought of my 
 beautiful lady, and the memory of the pleading 
 look within her eyes bade me consent. 
 
 And Richard Marsh was satisfied. 
 
 That night I sat among many strange men. 
 Long and low they talked to one another, till 
 one arose and spoke to all. 
 
 " Men of England," said he, " it is an evil 
 thing that we should rob an infant of his birth- 
 right, for Mary of Modena's son is the heir to 
 the throne. Let us pledge our lives to his 
 cause, for it is not good that England's crown 
 be worn by him who is not an Englishman." 
 
 He paused, but none responded to his 
 appeal. 
 
 Again he sought to arouse their sympathy 
 for the infant prince, but in vain. 
 
 Then Richard Marsh laid his right hand 
 across the left. 
 
 And, arising, I played. 
 
 Memories of Fanciullina's happy, innocent 
 childhood were strong upon me, and if other 
 thoughts stirred my veins, who could wonder 
 thereat ? 
 
 The gloom on the faces around me lightened. 
 I had touched their hearts, and childhood was 
 sacred to them. They would not wrong the 
 babe whom some believed to be of royal birth,
 
 TESTORE 173 
 
 and for just one second I saw Angela mio with 
 the light of a great joy reflected on her face, 
 and whose half-parted lips breathed anew of 
 life to me. 
 
 She vanished, and my music was one mad 
 burst of the beauty of life and love. Then 
 those stern Englishmen, whose might is the 
 sword, and who knew naught of the wild feel- 
 ings that music awakens in the hearts of the 
 true Italian, rose to their feet, and applauded 
 loud and long. 
 
 My part was done, and Richard Marsh had 
 won his way, led by his wife's devotion to 
 render help to an innocent babe. 
 
 Much they talked again, and I still sat 
 amidst them with my fiddle under my arm. 
 Methinks that they forgot me, so absorbed 
 were they in their undertakings ; but presently, 
 when papers were signed, the master of the 
 house brought wine in which to pledge success 
 to their bold plot to frustrate the plans of him 
 of Holland. Even I was called upon to drink 
 their toast, but first one asked me to play yet 
 again. 
 
 And now no mad riot of hope and joy were 
 in my notes. Naught came forth from under- 
 neath my fingers save a sad lament. 
 
 The faces that so lately had been alit with
 
 i 7 4 TESTORE 
 
 eagerness grew tense with misery, and as I 
 played we heard the sound of horse's hoofs 
 below in the courtyard. Our host arose and 
 left us, whilst I continued playing, and though 
 I would not, only this mournful dirge fell 
 upon our ears. A torch above me suddenly 
 flared high; the others had long since burnt 
 out, and I had played by this one light alone. 
 Then sank its flame exhausted and well-nigh 
 extinguished, and at the same moment the 
 bridge upon my fiddle snapped in twain. 
 
 Amid the hush that followed, Richard Marsh 
 came into the darkened room. The moon, 
 which shone in through the lattice panes, 
 showed faces pale and full of uneasy appre- 
 hension. 1 alone stood, holding the toneless 
 fiddle, her dear fiddle, which I had received on 
 that day so long ago when she had given her 
 crucifix to me, and I had bidden her farewell 
 for ever, as I then had thought. 
 
 " Friends ! all is lost ! William of Orange 
 fast approaches our shores. Ye must disperse 
 while there is time, for as yet thy names be not 
 known of a certainty ; and I, as ye well know, 
 will not betray thee, but remain here, and pass 
 as ever as Richard Marsh, a merchant of 
 neither fame nor ambition." 
 
 Dawn had broken when they at last de-
 
 TESTORE 175 
 
 parted, leaving their host alone with me. I 
 dare not speak to him, for so sombre were his 
 looks; but I sought my chamber, though sleep 
 I could not, but lay tossing on my couch till 
 the sun was high in the heavens.
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 THE house appeared deserted when I at last 
 left my room. Even Mistress Deborah could 
 not be found, though we often spent a while 
 each day in pleasant chatter. 
 
 Aimlessly I wandered about the place, 
 longing for a glimpse of my beautiful lady. 
 The servants were courteous, but silent of 
 tongue. I ate my midday meal alone, but 
 when twilight came I was still alone in that 
 house of mystery. 
 
 That night I heard a cautious step without 
 my chamber door ; then some one knocked, 
 but so gently, that had I been asleep it would 
 not have awakened me. Arising quickly, I 
 opened the door ; whereon my host, fully 
 dressed for the road, entered, warning me by 
 a glance not to speak till he was within the 
 chamber. 
 
 Then he spoke. 
 
 " Attire thyself in these," said he, placing a 
 bundle on the floor ; " and, yes," he touched 
 my head, and held up to view a pair of scissors. 
 
 " Hush ! " for I began to expostulate ; " if 
 176
 
 TESTORE 177 
 
 we are heard, both our lives may be forfeited. 
 Listen ! I have a boat and a man to row, in 
 waiting for thee. Thou must trust thyself to 
 him. Follow him whither he may take thee, 
 placing thyself in his hands. When all is safe 
 I shall send one for thee. Remember, ask no 
 questions. Speak as little as possible, using 
 the words which thou dost know the best." 
 
 Soon my curls lay scattered upon the floor ; 
 and when dressed in the clothes which Richard 
 Marsh had brought with him, I bore little 
 likeness to myself, save for my dark eyes, 
 which he could not alter ; for even my eye- 
 lashes had not been spared, only they had not 
 been so ruthlessly clipped as my hair. And 
 to complete the change in my appearance, my 
 face was rubbed with a soft, damp mixture. 
 And behold, I was no more Testore, the fiddle- 
 maker of Milano, but a creature of no land. 
 
 " Now," said my host, " thy name is 
 Thomas, and thou art recovering from a 
 fever." 
 
 He secreted the box which contained the 
 withal to render me pale about me whilst he 
 continued his commands. 
 
 " Each morning rub it well on neck and 
 face, hands and arms, and God grant that thou 
 dost see thy country again."
 
 1 7 8 TESTORE 
 
 He hurried me from the room, and had it 
 not been for his honest blue eyes, I would have 
 feared that never again I should behold the 
 Italian sky, or lie in the glorious sunshine of 
 that country. 
 
 Outside he wrapped me in a cloak of ample 
 size, and bidding me keep tongue, he led the 
 way to the riverside, where stood the man who 
 was to accompany me whither I knew not yet. 
 
 There was a sound as of money changing 
 hands, and my giant friend left me, only giving 
 me a grip of the hand as farewell, which but 
 increased my already great faith in him. 
 
 To the man he spoke loudly enough for me 
 to hear. 
 
 " Thou shalt receive the same amount when 
 I see thee again, provided that my cousin 
 Thomas is well of his sickness. Tell Dame 
 Margaret to give him but light fare, and little 
 of her ale to drink." 
 
 And now I was embarked again upon a 
 perilous journey, the dangers of which 1 
 comprehended not till long afterwards. 
 
 The man, who had a not unkindly face, 
 though his appearance was somewhat crude, 
 and he was very dirty, being begrimed with 
 coal-dust, rowed me quickly but silently down 
 the river. So quietly we glided along, that
 
 TESTORE 179 
 
 we might have been shadows only. Once 
 or twice my companion muttered something 
 which I could not understand, and I knew 
 not whether it was addressed to me, or some 
 thought expressed aloud. 
 
 I held tongue according to my orders, and 
 not even when we drifted close to an ungainly 
 barge did I speak. 
 
 To it we made fast, and I was pulled up a 
 rope ladder, and across the deck down some 
 steps into a small, evil-smelling cabin. 
 
 " Now, Master Thomas, thou dost see that 
 hammock. There thou must lie as still as if 
 moving meant Purgatory. Thy cousin once 
 saved me from an evil hauling, and set me on 
 my legs when I bid fair to go to the place 
 which perhaps thou art nigh to. It is not 
 because thou art of kin to him that I run my 
 neck in danger of a noose ; but for his sake, 
 and likewise the price paid to me for thy safety 
 will set me up in a pig-yard of my own. So, 
 till 1 bid thee do otherwise, lie close." 
 
 He turned on his heels and left me, locking 
 the door on the outside, and withdrawing the 
 key. 
 
 And there I lay for hours, suffering from 
 lack of air. 
 
 Above I heard heavy sounds of bumping,
 
 i8o TESTORE 
 
 the rattling of chains mingled with the sound 
 of loud voices, and the tramping of feet. 
 
 As the day neared noontide, a tiny ray of 
 sunlight pierced the porthole, which was only 
 ajar. I did not dare to open it wide, but I 
 laid my face close to it every now and then. 
 
 It might have been late afternoon when I at 
 last felt the barge move as though released 
 from her moorings, and a blessed waft of air 
 fanned my cheeks. I peered out, but scarcely 
 for a second, lest I might be seen. 
 
 Yes, we were moving. 
 
 I heard some coarse jest pass 'twixt one on 
 the shore and one on deck, and soon after, 
 footsteps approached the den in which I lay 
 concealed. 
 
 Instantly I laid down, and closing my eyes, 
 feigned sleep. 
 
 Almost immediately 1 felt a hand upon my 
 shoulder, and a voice said, " Now, Master 
 Thomas, since thou hast done thy part so well, 
 thou shalt be rewarded. My mate lies sound 
 asleep, therefore thou canst join me on deck 
 if thou wouldst." 
 
 Slowly I rose, as if I had not much strength. 
 
 " Thou shalt sup in my hall," said he, with 
 a chuckle at his own wit ; and I, glad of a 
 respite from that foul cabin, followed him
 
 TESTORE 181 
 
 gladly. It was good to breathe the evening 
 air, and I drew deep breaths, much to my 
 companion's amusement. 
 
 Little, indeed, I could eat of the rough fare, 
 but I watched my grimy friend drink deep 
 draughts from an ungainly goblet. Then he 
 placed a pipe between his lips, and after it was 
 well alight, he spat on the deck with loathsome 
 regularity. 
 
 And to this I dare not object. 
 
 Soon he began to talk of the royal family, 
 against whom he hurled out venomous words, 
 and quite content to have a listener, he 
 heeded not my silence. 
 
 Suddenly he roared with laughter. 
 
 " Two spies I saw sore beset but a while 
 ago, and there was another with them, but I saw 
 Master Dick snatch him aside into a passage, 
 and the crowd passed on. Methinks," and he 
 roared again, " thy cousin's life is in my hands ; 
 but he is a brave man, and, look ye, I would 
 slay the man who harmed a hair of his head. 
 
 "See, Cousin Thomas," and he made me an 
 obeisance, half in jest, and half in earnest, " I 
 know thee not, and much I doubt thy kinship 
 with my Master Dick ; but if ever thou dost 
 say one word of that which my unlucky tongue 
 has uttered, I will throttle thee till thy eyes
 
 1 82 TESTORE 
 
 burst forth from their sockets, and thy pale 
 face is as black as the coal-dust upon me." 
 
 I held out my hand, answering, " Master 
 Dick is as dear to me as to thee, and I, too, 
 owe him a debt of gratitude." 
 
 He gripped my hands so tightly that I 
 feared each finger would be crushed. 
 
 " A straight bargain," replied he, " and may 
 all the devils in hell be loosened to tear me to 
 pieces if I fail in aught to thee." 
 
 And so 1 made another English friend. 
 
 That night I slept with the porthole flung 
 wide open. I had begged to be allowed to 
 remain on deck, but this request had been 
 refused ; and it was as well, for a heavy rain 
 came on at midnight. 
 
 At the close of the next day we anchored at 
 a place where sea and river meet ; again I was 
 roused in the dark, and taken on shore. 
 
 The bargeman had made me soil myself 
 with grime till I looked like his twin brother as 
 far as a coaly appearance went. After drinking 
 some beer at a filthy tavern, we struck inland. 
 
 Many miles we walked, which were as nothing 
 to my companion, who knew every step of the 
 way. 
 
 At length we stopped before a cottage where 
 roses in summer ran riot on the walls. 
 
 He tapped on the window, and immediately
 
 TESTORE 183 
 
 a light shone within. The latch was lifted, 
 and a portly dame appeared in the doorway. 
 
 He of the coal-dust kissed her with much 
 affection, and then thrust me forward. 
 
 Dame Margaret peered at me. 
 
 " He is black enough now," her son remarked, 
 " but wait till thou dost see his white face when 
 the dirt is washed off." 
 
 " Poor lad ! " said the dame ; " 'tis a cruel 
 walk for one who has lain under fever." And 
 she bustled about, adding more viands to those 
 which were already set upon the table. 
 
 I could have eaten heartily, yet must I obey 
 the commands of my blond friend ; and I 
 envied the bargeman, who ate ravenously of 
 the fare, washing it down with huge draughts 
 of beer, which his mother poured into a cup 
 which resembled naught that I had ever seen, 
 it being neither of metal nor of glass, but of 
 some substance not unlike the horns of oxen. 
 
 When I had partaken of the food that was 
 set before me, I was shown into a small chamber 
 wherein had been set a couch, and there, lulled 
 by the voices in the next room, I fell asleep. 
 
 When I awoke it was broad daylight, and I 
 could hear the comings and goings of the good 
 dame as she clattered the plates and the dishes, 
 calling now and again to the pigs and the fowls 
 which seemed to be part of the family.
 
 1 84 TESTORE 
 
 Meanwhile I looked around me. The room 
 contained but little save the bed and a carved 
 oaken chest, and I wondered idly what might 
 be therein, not knowing that it guarded the 
 household linen and those garments which were 
 worn but on holy days and festivals, such as 
 marryings and christenings, and, for the last 
 robing of all, the grave. 
 
 Nevertheless, the chamber was very clean, 
 and a sweet smell pervaded it, which I knew 
 not then to be lavender. 
 
 Presently, however, I must have fallen asleep 
 again, for I remember nothing more till 1 heard 
 a voice exclaim 
 
 " Dear heart ! how ill he looks ! " 
 
 Thereon, opening my eyes, I beheld Dame 
 Margaret standing beside me with some hot 
 drink which she prevailed upon me to swallow. 
 That day she did not allow me to leave my 
 bed, but the long hours thereof was much 
 beguiled by her chatter, the most of which I 
 could not comprehend. 
 
 For a whole week I remained in hiding. 
 Each day I skilfully lessened the deadly pallor 
 of my countenance, and as it decreased, so did 
 my meals increase, till at last ample fare took 
 the place of the slight nourishment that Dame 
 Margaret had allowed me.
 
 TESTORE 185 
 
 I grew to be very fond of her, and she would 
 chatter for hours to me, without troubling 
 herself whether I could understand her or not. 
 So the time passed, and often I wondered much 
 concerning the Vescovo di Milano. Where 
 was he ? Was all well with him ? 
 
 It was seldom indeed that I took the air, for 
 it was only at dusk that I was permitted to 
 stroll outside, and even then my hostess would 
 hover around me like a mother hen until she 
 had me safe, not beneath her wing, but under 
 the roof of her cottage. 
 
 Ten days thus came and went, and my 
 patience had waxed very low when there arrived 
 a missive from Richard Marsh. 
 
 " Trust him whom I send for thee to-night. 
 Obey him without questioning, and God grant 
 that all goes well with thee. Be ready an hour 
 before midnight, and say to him only, ' For 
 King and Country.' He will give three sharp 
 taps upon the window-pane, but tell Dame 
 Margaret to leave thee alone, lest she learns 
 too much, to her own undoing." 
 
 These were the words that the missive con- 
 tained, but it set my blood coursing rapidly, 
 and with beating heart I read it yet again.
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 WITH the sunset that night a storm arose. 
 I sat and watched the sullen clouds drift fitfully 
 across the sky. The lurid rays of the setting 
 sun tipped the edges of some of them with 
 light which but intensified the darkness of the 
 rest ; and as the glow faded, a wind swept 
 over the plain with a low moan. The heavens 
 opened, and torrents of rain fell. Overhead 
 the thunder pealed, and violet-flamed lightning 
 flashed frequently. 
 
 When the time drew nigh to midnight, Dame 
 Margaret, lighting her candle, bade me a sad 
 farewell, for we had become friends, and it lay 
 heavily on our minds that we should not meet 
 again. 
 
 She had placed on the table a huge jug of 
 hot spiced ale, platters with bread and cheese, 
 and some cold meat. 
 
 She begged me to eat and to drink, and to 
 
 give to him who should come for me. Hardly 
 
 had she departed when there came a sharp tap, 
 
 thrice repeated, even as the letter had said. I 
 
 186
 
 TESTORE 187 
 
 opened the door, and in stepped a brawny 
 man by whose side I appeared but small. Of 
 salutation there was none, though he nodded 
 surlily to me as I gave the pass-word. I bade 
 him to eat and to drink, whereon he took a 
 mighty draught which lessened somewhat his 
 bearish manner. 
 
 Soon we were outside, with the wind blowing 
 fresh and strong upon us. The rain had ceased ; 
 at whiles the moon peeped shyly from between 
 the clouds, otherwise the night was dark, since 
 no stars could be seen. 
 
 Where the going was difficult, my guide 
 would grip my hand, but he said not a word. 
 
 We walked far that night, and when at last 
 dawn broke, grey and cold, we stood upon a 
 shore by the open sea. 
 
 Thrice my companion uttered a whistle like 
 unto the scream of a wild sea-bird. Round 
 the corner shot a skiff which soon bore me 
 over the water. 
 
 After an hour we gained a ship which rode 
 at anchor. 
 
 Quickly the sailors thereof let down a ladder 
 at our near approach. Up it I climbed, and 
 was greeted above by the Captain, who, assisting 
 me on deck, spake to me in my own tongue. 
 
 So rejoiced was I to hear my own speech
 
 1 88 TESTORE 
 
 again that I noticed not the disappearance of 
 the man who had brought me hither. In the 
 distance his boat was fast dwindling to a speck. 
 
 Sails were hoisted, the anchors lifted, and the 
 wind being favourable, we were soon flying 
 over the waves. No one hindered my comings 
 or goings, neither did any question me, but a 
 few words from the Captain made me com- 
 prehend that he looked on me as a mere 
 traveller. 
 
 Good it was to converse with one of my 
 own countrymen again, but imagine my joy 
 when, on entering a cabin, I found within it 
 the Vescovo di Milano. 
 
 He still wore his lay attire, and his eyes, 
 though they sought to conceal his delight at 
 seeing me, warned me not to show surprise at 
 our meeting ; and it was not until Italian soil 
 was under our feet that I heard the story of 
 his adventures. 
 
 The days were many ere we sighted Naples, 
 and much I suffered from yearnings to behold 
 my home. Naught could I eat, but I sat 
 watching the waves of the ever-seething ocean 
 till almost I forgot its beauty, and loathed it 
 exceedingly. Once we were nearly wrecked, 
 for a storm tossed us miles out of our course ; 
 yet we at length sailed into the Mediterranean
 
 TESTORE 189 
 
 Sea, and gentle breezes wafted us slowly across 
 its blue waters. 
 
 At an island we anchored for a day, and 
 there the Vescovo and I went ashore. Eagerly 
 I asked him of his news, but he bade me wait ; 
 so I desisted, much as I longed to hear the 
 story of his doings. 
 
 When we boarded the ship again, another 
 passenger was added to our number, a fair 
 man, tall and slight, with a curious scar running 
 athwart neck and chin. He scanned me as we 
 sauntered past him, and as the anchors were 
 lifted and sails unfurled he paced the deck 
 anxiously. He ate apart, and but little we 
 saw of him, although there was that in his 
 demeanour which made think that again some 
 mystery was afloat, for whenever we met by 
 chance, he appeared to watch my every move- 
 ment. 
 
 At length we sighted Naples. 
 
 As the ship neared her moorings, I remained 
 motionless by the gangway. So eager was I 
 to land that I forgot my friend, till suddenly 
 I remembered that I had not seen him all 
 that day. 
 
 Ashamed of my thoughtless selfishness, I 
 left my post, and crossed the deck in search 
 of him. And outside the Captain's cabin I
 
 1 90 TESTORE 
 
 came upon him, and at his side stood the 
 tall man of the scarred countenance. So 
 absorbed were they in their conversation that 
 they noticed me not ; and although I withdrew 
 speedily, it was not before I had heard some 
 words that recalled to my mind that fateful 
 day of the meeting in the house of Richard 
 Marsh, when I had had my hopes awakened 
 only to be dashed to the ground. 
 
 Chains rattled, planks groaned, and there 
 was much straining of ropes ; but I heeded 
 not now our approach to the shore, for, stand- 
 ing a little way apart, I watched those two 
 who still spake together in low tones, and 
 with grave looks. 
 
 Presently my attention was withdrawn from 
 them by a slight pull at my sleeve, and one 
 of the sailors, with whom I had often spoken, 
 thrust into my hand a slip of paper, whispering 
 to me at the same time, " Signore, read this 
 when thou art alone." 
 
 I would have questioned the boy, but he 
 had gone. Heedless of the note, I still kept 
 my eyes on those twain till they separated. 
 Then, finding a corner, I spread open the 
 tiny sheet of paper. So finely written were 
 the words upon it that scarce could I read 
 them.
 
 TESTORE 191 
 
 " Testore, I thought never again to pen a 
 letter to thee. Our plans have failed, and I 
 have lost much ; for had all been otherwise, 
 there awaited for us a great reward. 
 
 *' He who is the scourge of all true 
 Catholics, has won, and those who placed 
 high stakes on the land which we have 
 quitted, have forfeited much. 
 
 " England might have been saved to the 
 one true Church could we have placed the 
 Infant Prince upon her throne, nurturing him 
 in our beliefs till, when the hour was ripe 
 II Santo Padre would have governed that 
 country of fame and riches. 
 
 " Not among the least hast thou been, 
 Testore, amid the many who wrought for so 
 good a purpose ; for ye did that which none 
 other could have done, yea, even though it 
 proved of no avail. 
 
 "Those whom we obeyed, suffered keen 
 disappointment ; but I 
 
 " Testore, he who takes me back to my life 
 of silence and loneliness, approaches. He knows 
 that thou art on board, since we are ever watched. 
 
 " Carlo mio, we shall never meet again, 
 but " 
 
 Here the note ended, and without doubt
 
 1 92 TESTORE 
 
 the man of the scarred face had entered into 
 her cabin. 
 
 I feared to read it again, for the bustle 
 and noise around me told me that we had 
 anchored. My friend, too, drew nigh, saying, 
 as he took my arm, " We can now set foot 
 on our land." 
 
 Though my eyes sought in all directions 
 for a glimpse of my beautiful lady, I had, 
 perforce, to leave the ship without seeing 
 aught of her, for the Vescovo quitted not 
 my side, neither loosened he his hold on 
 my arm, until we reached an inn, the landlord 
 of which was well known to him. 
 
 They spoke much aside. Then I was shown 
 into a room where I was bidden wait till my 
 friend should rejoin me, for he had departed 
 on some mission. I sat myself down im- 
 patiently, for mysteries, which I ever hated, 
 still surrounded me. An hour passed, and 
 no one came near me. Much of the busy 
 stir of the inn penetrated the walls of the 
 chamber wherein I awaited the Vescovo di 
 Milano, and yet the time seemed not long 
 to me, for I read again and again her dear 
 letter, and the words that were wanting 
 therein, knew I in my heart. 
 
 And never a thought entered my mind to
 
 TESTORE 193 
 
 distrust my friend, for well I knew that he 
 must obey the behest of his Church. 
 
 And, as thus I sat and pondered over many 
 things, 1 heard without in the passage a voice 
 I so well knew, and loved. 
 
 My heart leaped. I ran to the door, that I 
 at least might behold her, but it was locked. 
 
 Again I was a prisoner, and I might not even 
 look on my beautiful lady ere they took her 
 away from me to that drear, lone, convent 
 cell. 
 
 I turned to the window, but so high was it 
 built in the wall that only with great difficulty 
 could I gain it. Near by stood a heavy piece 
 of furniture, which when pushed under the 
 window, gave height enough for me to gaze 
 forth. 
 
 Below me in the courtyard I saw several 
 horses, saddled and bridled, and well I knew 
 for whom they awaited. 
 
 And my beautiful lady appeared, attended 
 by two maids. And although she was closely 
 veiled, I knew her. She was accompanied by 
 an officer of rank, whom by his height and 
 bearing I recognised for the stranger of the 
 voyage, and his men. 
 
 And never a look gave she backward to the 
 
 inn as she rode forth, 
 o
 
 i 9 4 TESTORE 
 
 Fain would I have given way to grief, but 
 dare not, and of what avail would it have 
 been ? Only my heart cried out bitterly ; yet 
 when the Vescovo returned, he found me 
 seated on a chair apparently absorbed in 
 thought. 
 
 So accustomed had I become to his lay 
 attire, that I started in surprise when I saw 
 him again in his priest's garb. 
 
 "Forgive me," said he, as he laid down 
 a bundle which I had not perceived till he 
 spoke, " but I had much to do ere I could 
 bring to thee these clothes which will render 
 thee an Italian musician in less time than it 
 took me to turn myself again outwardly into 
 a father of the Church."
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 I SOJOURNED for a few days in Naples alone, 
 for the Vescovo journeyed to Rome to the 
 Vatican, there to render an account of his 
 doings in that foreign land, which had cast 
 herself adrift from the domination of the 
 Catholic Church for ever. It was on his re- 
 turn from thither, that he told me his story. 
 
 One day, as he left a house in company 
 with two others, he was seized from behind, 
 a cloak was thrown over his head, and rough 
 hands bound him and bore him off. 
 
 Half-stifled, and much alarmed, he had, 
 perforce, to allow himself to be carried some 
 way. Then they who had thus captured him 
 halted, some dispersed, whilst two descended 
 some steps. Still enveloped in the mantle, 
 he was set down upon a stone floor, but his 
 bonds were loosened. The closing of a door, 
 with the sound of retreating footsteps, told 
 him that he was alone. 
 
 Freeing himself of the ropes which had 
 bound him, he examined his surroundings, and 
 discovered that he was in a cellar which had
 
 196 TESTORE 
 
 only one small aperture, and that so high 
 that it was useless to attempt to reach it. He 
 tried the door, which was strongly built, and 
 locked without. All was still save for the 
 sound of the lapping of water against one 
 of the walls. 
 
 From this he concluded that he was close 
 to the river. 
 
 The Vescovo, being of a courageous nature, 
 husbanded his strength for the time when he 
 might need it, for he spent it not in useless 
 attempts to liberate himself. Wrapping his 
 cloak well around himself, he sat down to 
 await that which might next occur. Hours 
 passed ; the very little daylight that won its 
 way down to him faded into darkness, the 
 night was long, for he could not sleep. When 
 the morning came, he was cold and weary, but 
 by and by a tiny ray of sunlight penetrated 
 the depths of the cell. He changed his posi- 
 tion from time to time so that it fell on him, 
 and as thus he sat, a man entered with a loaf 
 of bread and a jug of wine. When he saw the 
 cold appearance of the prisoner, he hastily left 
 the cell, and returned with a blanket and a stool. 
 Reassured by these attentions, my friend made 
 a good meal. His jailer visited him again at 
 dusk, bringing with him a bowl of steaming
 
 TESTORE 197 
 
 broth, a platter on which lay junks of bread 
 and beef, and a mug of foaming beer. More- 
 over, some bedding was added to his humble 
 store of comforts, and thus some days passed ; 
 till one evening, when the man came as usual 
 with the evening meal, he brought with him a 
 suit of coarse clothes such as those worn by 
 weavers, or workers in some rude handicraft. 
 They were much soiled, having apparently seen 
 good service. Flinging them down before my 
 friend, he said, " Eat as speedily as thou canst, 
 then don these." 
 
 In a very short while my friend was follow- 
 ing his jailer down a winding passage, too 
 narrow for the twain to walk abreast, till they 
 came out into the open air at a place where 
 a boat awaited them. This they entered, and 
 after rowing for a great while, they landed, and 
 he was then taken to a lonely hut, where he 
 remained in hiding till Richard Marsh came 
 to him. 
 
 Again the days were long, and the fare 
 rough and coarse ; but he, aware of the dangers 
 of the time, and the intense hatred in England 
 for all Papists, obeyed his orders, knowing 
 likewise that thus he aided those who stood his 
 friends. 
 
 When at last the blond giant arrived, he
 
 198 TESTORE 
 
 smiled approval at the Vescovo's unkempt 
 appearance. 
 
 " We three," said he, " have been in jeopardy 
 of our lives. I, for helping a spy, and our 
 friend, Giuseppe Testore, for having consorted 
 with him. Thanks to the faithfulness of my 
 old nurse and her son, he is safe ; thou wilt be, 
 I hope, too, within a very few hours, and I as 
 soon as ye twain be out of this land." 
 
 Our English friend himself journeyed with 
 the Vescovo until the ship was reached and 
 boarded. 
 
 On the morrow we turned our faces towards 
 our beloved Milano, which we reached without 
 further adventures, and I methought that no 
 more would I journey abroad, though I must 
 confess that this sojourn in a strange land was 
 not entirely without some good, since it had 
 broken the dreariness of my long, lonely 
 hours.
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 THE very day after my return, Maria came 
 to visit me. She welcomed me back raptur- 
 ously, for this silly woman still cherished her 
 old affection for me, though I had been most 
 surly to her, showing my dislike openly when- 
 ever I could. 
 
 She had grown into a portly matron, loud of 
 voice, and untidy in appearance. Now here 
 she was, prepared to stay awhile, for she 
 announced presently that her husband would 
 call for her. 
 
 " I am sorry," said I ; " but since the woman 
 is out, and I have a mission in the city, I must 
 take the house-key with me, and I may not 
 tarry." 
 
 Disappointed of her intent, she became angry, 
 and troubled not to disguise her feelings. 
 Away she flounced, her head high, her skirt 
 whirling as she passed out of the door. 1 
 watched her progress along the street, but she 
 did not once turn to look back, therefore I 
 withdrew to my room. Francesco appeared, as 
 she had said, yet 1 knew that he was pleased 
 199
 
 200 TESTORE 
 
 to find me alone, although he mentioned not 
 his wife, and neither did I. 
 
 His was not a happy home, for he had 
 wearied of Maria, and his children were much 
 neglected. 
 
 Over our early supper we waxed quite 
 merry. He delighted in the tales I told him 
 of my voyage, and the city of London, asking 
 me many questions thereof. When we parted, 
 we understood each other better than we had 
 done for a great while. 
 
 Soon I sauntered forth for a stroll, and, as 
 usual, my feet bore me towards II Duomo. I 
 did not enter it, however, but retracing my 
 steps, regained my home to find that the meal 
 had not been cleared away. As I set about 
 placing the viands in the cupboard, a sudden 
 tumult without disturbed me. A hasty knock 
 sounded on the outer door, followed by a voice 
 asking for me. On opening to them, several 
 men whom I knew well thronged within the 
 entrance. Bewildered, for they all spoke 
 excitedly, I begged them to be calm, and tell 
 me what had chanced. 
 
 " Thy cousin is dead," said one. 
 
 " Dead ! " I repeated, horrified, and unable 
 to grasp to the full the meaning of the word. 
 
 " Yea, dead, for he was found stabbed in
 
 TESTORE 201 
 
 the street hard by his house ; yet ere he 
 breathed his last, he bid us tell thee to beware 
 of a man who wore a green cloak." 
 
 I caught at the mantelshelf for support. 
 Some one brought me a drink, but I pushed it 
 aside. My cousin dead ! he who had been 
 alive and with me in this very room but this 
 afternoon. Dead ! and killed by my old 
 enemy, " the man in green." 
 
 Swiftly the memories of those days so long 
 ago flashed through my mind. Fain would I 
 have dwelt on them, but my neighbours burst 
 forth into the story of the finding of the 
 assassinated man. 
 
 He had been attacked from behind as he 
 rounded a dark corner. The cold-blooded 
 murderer had thrice plunged his steel through 
 his victim as he lay there wounded to the 
 death. The sound of footsteps had evidently 
 caused the villain to flee, for his dagger was 
 found in my cousin's body. 
 
 They took me to see him. It was a sad 
 sight, and I fain would have thought of him as 
 I had last beheld him. There was no doubt 
 that he had been mistaken for me ; and as a 
 proof, I saw stained with his life-blood my 
 own cloak, the one which I so often wore upon 
 my rambles. It was of sombre velvet and of
 
 202 TESTORE 
 
 a peculiar cut, and there was not its like in 
 the town. 
 
 Then I remembered that Francesco had 
 shivered as he rose to go, and that I had 
 thrown it around him. 
 
 And now he was dead, and I lived. 
 
 I gazed on him as he lay there, motionless 
 and silent, with the story of the sudden 
 wresting of his life from his body written on 
 his countenance. The knowledge of the wider 
 world was his, but I remained behind. 
 
 They left me alone with him, and as I bent 
 over the still form I gently touched the cold 
 brow thereof, for those who look upon a 
 corpse must touch it, or else partake of great 
 misfortune. 
 
 I spoke to no one as I left the house. I 
 would not see his wife. She would mourn 
 him less than I should, though with her shallow 
 nature she would make more display of her 
 grief. 
 
 I returned home, where I spent a sleepless 
 night, the forerunner of many such to come. 
 They buried Francesco with much state, and 
 many masses were said for his soul. 
 
 Two of his children I took into my care on 
 the condition that their mother in nowise inter- 
 fered with them. And cheer they brought to
 
 TESTORE 203 
 
 my empty house. Methinks, too, they kept 
 me from growing entirely morose and bitter. 
 
 Howbeit, their mother, tiring of my indiffer- 
 ence to her, went to stay with some relatives 
 a long way off ; and for this I was glad, for 
 truly had she stayed in Milano she must have 
 proved a thorn in my side. 
 
 For the sake of the boys I took into the 
 house a faithful woman of middle age, a child- 
 less widow, and I experienced more comfort 
 than I had done for years. She kept all so 
 bright and clean. Our linen was spotless, and 
 our garments in good repair, and the cooking, 
 too, was generous. Only, as of old, I tolerated 
 not her presence in the workroom, save once 
 a week when I stood on guard whilst she 
 swept, cleansed, and dusted window and floor. 
 And this I had to permit, since otherwise she 
 threatened to leave me ; and after a while I 
 minded it less, only never more than once a 
 week would I permit of it.
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 AND now again my life ran smoothly for 
 awhile. Often I visited II Duomo, and there 
 would sit and dream of many things. 
 
 As the boys grew up, I taught them my art, 
 but they had not the keen love for it which 
 dominated me. Skilful they were and quick, too 
 quick in sooth, for as the fiddle-maker slowly, 
 and with love, evolves from out of shapeless 
 wood an instrument of song, surely he instils 
 into it much of his own self, which lives 
 throughout all time. 
 
 Even after all these years I had not worked 
 at those two precious pieces of wood, given 
 to me by my cripple friend of long ago. I 
 had often lifted them up and fondled them, 
 but within me a voice spoke always, " Not yet, 
 my friend, not yet." 
 
 Therefore I waited as only those wait who 
 have won through fierce fires of passion and 
 sin. 
 
 At last inspiration came, swift and strong. 
 
 It had been a brilliant day of sunshine, and 
 204
 
 TESTORE 205 
 
 the heat had been too great to allow of work, 
 or even to walk abroad. 
 
 At sunset a little breeze arose, and I sought 
 the air. I walked but a little way, for a feeling 
 of lassitude was upon me. When I returned, 
 the house was empty, and the evening meal 
 had been despatched. My portion, however, 
 had been carefully set aside, for of late I had 
 fallen into bad habits, leaving the boys to eat 
 their supper alone. My housekeeper grumbled, 
 and always I promised to amend my ways, but 
 ever forgot. Although I seated myself at the 
 table I ate but sparingly, for I was not hungry, 
 only thirsty. Then I leaned back in a chair 
 in my favourite corner of the room, and fell to 
 dreaming of 'bygone days when la mia bimbas 
 voice had made music in my home. 
 
 My beloved ones were ever in my waking 
 thoughts, yet 1 never dreamed of them. Strange, 
 but thus it was, save for that one dream of 
 Fanciullina so long ago, on that night when my 
 beautiful lady had stolen away. 
 
 And as I sat thus, a dreamy languor came 
 over me. Years slipped from off me, and I 
 was young and gay. A baby head rested on 
 my shoulder, baby fingers clutched my hand, 
 and I dared not move lest I should waken my 
 precious burden. And then, I know not how
 
 206 TESTORE 
 
 it happened, so incomprehensible are the swift 
 changes of a dream or vision, but I was in a 
 vast wood, and afar off I heard the sound of 
 waves washing against a rocky shore. And the 
 sullen boom of the water dashing against the 
 cliffs, mingled with the sighing of the wind 
 through the great pines, filled my heart with 
 a strange melody. No longer held I in my 
 arms my child, nor was I even myself, but 
 another, wearing clothes the like of which I 
 had never seen, for a short tunic of coarse dark 
 material, confined about the waist by a skin 
 belt, formed my chief article of dress. My 
 legs were encased in leathern thongs, and 
 wooden shoes were on my feet. And this 
 strange attire I wore with the ease of one at 
 home in it. 
 
 A tall pine attracted my attention. I walked 
 to it, and reverently I touched its trunk, for 
 from within the heart of the tree flowed forth 
 that melody of sea and pine ; but even as I 
 sought to retain its wonders, it passed. Forest 
 and tree had vanished, and I was alone on a 
 wide plain with naught in my hand save a staff. 
 The air grew cold, and snow fell. Still onwards 
 I groped my way, until afar in the distance I 
 saw a light. Almost blinded by the snowflakes 
 which fell so pitilessly and fast, I at length
 
 TESTORE 207 
 
 came to an open door through which I passed, 
 for within was warmth. 
 
 And none barred my way. 
 
 The great hall was empty, but the melody 
 of sea and pine flooded the whole place. 
 
 Set in the walls were many doors, all of 
 which I opened, seeking the source of the 
 music which filled each room in turn ; for it 
 followed me, yet evaded me at every step. 
 Whenever I turned towards the haunting notes 
 they stopped, and yet, whichever chamber I 
 entered, there heard I them full and clear. 
 
 Baffled, I sat down before some smouldering 
 embers, for I was very weary, and lo ! the 
 song came as it were from the very heart of the 
 fire itself ; and I cried aloud, " O wondrous 
 song, implant thyself upon my heart and 
 brain ! " 
 
 And a voice answered, " Thou whose hand 
 can awaken sound, hast in thy possession part 
 of that tree in whose fibre sleeps that which 
 awaits thy hand, thy touch, to bring it forth to 
 life." 
 
 And the vision passed. 
 
 I was myself in my room of fiddles. 
 
 I rose, but was forced to sit again, for my 
 limbs were weak, my head dizzy; and sleep 
 fell on me, and I dreamed of Fanciullina.
 
 208 TESTORE 
 
 She came to me, this child of heavenly 
 growth, and held out her arms whilst I gazed 
 at her with aching heart. As before, she spoke 
 not, but only pointed upwards ; and then she 
 was gone, and again a chorus of heavenly voices 
 greeted her. 
 
 The house was still when I awoke, for it was 
 late ; and I had not heard the entrance of my 
 nephews, whom, when I entered their chamber, 
 I found fast asleep. 
 
 I returned to mine, but not to rest, for I 
 took those precious pieces of wood, and breathed 
 into them my utter longing to bring forth from 
 them that melody of sea and pine, for I knew 
 that the time had come for me to awaken them 
 into song. 
 
 Alone I wrought each day, and reverently, 
 and thus the fiddle, whose birth-year was 1707, 
 was created. And ever as I fashioned its shape 
 my child's form would be pictured in my mind, 
 and a woman's pure eyes gazed into mine with 
 the look that bespeaks the love that is not only 
 of mere earth. 
 
 So much 1 loved this work that until its 
 completion I never left it for long; nay, more, 
 I even had my bed moved into my workroom, 
 and no delicate plant was ever more carefully 
 watched or shielded. Sun it had in plenty,
 
 TESTORE 209 
 
 and damp it knew not at all. So slowly, very 
 slowly, life was instilled into it, and as the time 
 drew near for it to awaken into sound, I ate 
 not, neither could I sleep; and my nephews 
 wearied themselves concerning me, yet still 
 they understood not my strange love for it. 
 They neglected their duties terribly, both 
 being in love, and that foolishly; but so utterly 
 absorbed was I in my work that I sought not 
 to check them. 
 
 The Vescovo often came to see me, and 
 would implore me to eat and rest, but though 
 I would have done so to please him, I could 
 not. 
 
 And the day came when my task was ended. 
 
 From out of those inert pieces of wood, 
 wrought by my own hands, had grown a fiddle. 
 So much my fingers trembled that I could 
 scarce fasten the strings upon it. Then com- 
 plete at last it lay before me, warm and beautiful 
 in colouring, and I dare not lift it, I dare not 
 raise the bow lest bitter disappointment be my 
 lot. I heard my nephews pass my chamber 
 door, and I called to them. Surprised, they 
 obeyed my summons, for I barred my room to 
 them for many weeks. Yet when they entered 
 I could not speak, but could only point to my 
 child of inspiration.
 
 210 TESTORE 
 
 They saw but a new fiddle, whilst my eyes 
 had ever beheld, as I wrought upon it, the 
 angel-form of a little child, and the look of a 
 great soul-love within the eyes of her so dear to 
 me ; and I knew myself for a man of passion, 
 yet who desired to rise above mere earthly 
 things, but these heedless, light-hearted boys 
 knew naught of this. 
 
 I waited for their words of praise. 
 
 " The colour is not even," said the elder of 
 the twain. 
 
 " And my last was of a much better shape," 
 announced the other, and they turned on their 
 heels and left me. 
 
 My heart well-nigh broke, for so much I 
 had yearned for sympathy, and my friend, the 
 Vescovo, who would have comprehended me, 
 was not at home. 
 
 I knelt down by my handiwork, my child of 
 song, and weak and despondent, I fain would 
 have destroyed it ; but I was compelled to draw 
 the bow across its strings. 
 
 So true, so pure, were the notes that came to 
 birth beneath my fingers that, weakened as I 
 was by want of sleep and food, my joy overcame 
 me, and I swooned. 
 
 When I regained my senses, my friend, who 
 had returned sooner than he had expected, bent
 
 TESTORE 211 
 
 over me. He lifted me to my couch, and 
 breaking bread into wine, with tender words 
 he persuaded me to eat and to drink. 
 
 All that night he stayed with me, for I was 
 very ill, and they feared for my mind as well as 
 for my body. 
 
 And till 1 was much recovered, he left me 
 but to perform his duties, and then my house- 
 keeper took charge, obeying faithfully his 
 orders. 
 
 And so for many days I lay weak and help- 
 less, and was fed like a babe, but a weight was 
 taken from off me, and sleep often visited me. 
 
 My nephews, who knew not how cruelly 
 they had wounded me by their words, were 
 much sobered by my illness. They loved me, 
 but, alas, there was much of their mother's 
 nature within them ; for they liked display, and 
 cared most for parading themselves on festival 
 days in gaudy attire. I may not blame them, 
 since I had left them much alone, teaching them 
 my craft only that it might live in the family; 
 for I dreamt great things of the future of my 
 work, but they were not to be. 
 
 One day a desire was born in me to arise 
 from my bed. I was alone, and with difficulty 
 1 staggered to the window. There, overcome 
 by dizziness, I seated myself, for I had not till
 
 212 TESTORE 
 
 then realised how little strength I had. After a 
 while, however, I gained the living-room where 
 the boys were eating their midday meal. They 
 greeted me with a glad cry of surprise, and I 
 was gently seized by them, and carried to a 
 seat. There ensconced, they waited on me, and 
 then it was that I forgave them for those stab- 
 bing sentences which had been uttered but in 
 pure thoughtlessness. 
 
 From that day I made rapid progress towards 
 health and strength, till at last 1 could walk 
 abroad. 
 
 Many wished to buy my child of inspiration, 
 but I put them all off on one plea or another, 
 for so greatly I loved it that 1 could not part 
 with it. 
 
 Ah, like myself, it loved the warmth, and, 
 perchance, all things beautiful. I have played 
 on it in grand halls and in tapestried boudoirs, 
 but it was often only when I myself played upon 
 it that listeners raved, since it would not ever 
 respond to the touch of strangers. At such 
 times its notes would sound dull and dead. 
 
 My nephews never could see much beauty 
 in it, though they owned that at times its tones 
 were truly wonderful. 
 
 So we, the fiddle and I, grew to understand 
 each other's moods. "My Child of Inspira-
 
 TESTORE 213 
 
 tion " I called it, instead of the name of its 
 birth-year, 1707. 
 
 I was ageing fast, and it was but at the com- 
 mencement of its life ; or was it older than one 
 dare think ? For ever when I held it, or gazed 
 upon it, the memories of that vision of the vast 
 wood with those great pines, and the sound of 
 the booming of the sullen waves afar off, would 
 be upon me. 
 
 Surely my child of inspiration was, indeed, 
 centuries old.
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 AT last I deemed that I had recovered my 
 strength ; but soon I found that the long, heavy 
 fever under which I had lain so long had left 
 its traces upon me, for never again was I able to 
 work for hours at a stretch, nor did I desire to 
 do so, but was content to wander oft in the 
 dreamland of the past. And I was, indeed, much 
 alone since the Vescovo di Milano had been 
 removed to another part of Italy. 
 
 We had spent a solemn evening together the 
 night before his departure. We were both sad, 
 though man-like, we hid our feelings. But 
 when the time drew nigh for our farewell, he 
 asked a request of me. 
 
 " Testore," said he, " I beg thee to tell me 
 the true story of thy acquaintance with the 
 Principessa Elvira di Florenza." 
 
 I started, and though years had passed since I 
 had heard that name, my face paled, my voice 
 shook with emotion ; yet because the Vescovo 
 was my friend, yea, more than friend, and 
 because I loved him, I told him all, save of her 
 214
 
 TESTORE 215 
 
 dear kisses, and that meeting in the wood when 
 she had given me her crucifix. 
 
 He listened intently, then grasping my hand, 
 said, " I, too, have had my wound, and bear the 
 scar thereof ; and as ye have told me of thy 
 sorrow and pain, so tell I thee of mine. Per- 
 chance, it may strengthen us to know that we 
 each have loved, and suffered." 
 
 Deeply stirred with memories of the past, we 
 drank a long draught of wine, as if thereby 
 we could hide our feelings from each other. 
 
 Then the Vescovo began his story. 
 
 "Testore, thou hast tasted of joy and pain. 
 I, too, have drunk deep of the cup of happi- 
 ness and sorrow, and, if we have sinned, my 
 sin is greater than thine, for ye had not sworn 
 certain oaths to Holy Church, therefore thou 
 hast broken no vow." 
 
 He lowered his voice. 
 
 " Thou dost count me a good man, yet I 
 have done things that cannot be purged away 
 till the Great God of All wills. 
 
 " In that I thought to stand firm, I have 
 failed. 
 
 " Up to the time of my last vows, no tempt- 
 ation assailed me. I was an enthusiast, so 
 eager to preach of the Passion of the Cross 
 that no test overcame me. Body, soul, and
 
 2i6 TESTORE 
 
 mind I dedicated to the Church. In my 
 student days they ever spoke of me as Sebas- 
 tian the Pious. 
 
 " When I had served as a priest for one 
 happy year, I was sent to Rome. 
 
 "And, Testore, I would that I had been 
 left alone in that little village ; yea, though I 
 should never have known thee, and another. 
 
 " From Rome I was ordered to Spain, that 
 country of devilries wrought in the name of 
 Christ. It was a vile mission on which I was 
 sent, but deeming II Pontefice infallible, I went. 
 
 " Testore, 1 am prepared to suffer punish- 
 ment hereafter if it be wrong of me that I, in 
 my secret heart, call the Spanish Inquisition a 
 hotbed of cruelties and a network of lying 
 hypocrisy. I saw men deprived of sight, sense, 
 and sound. I witnessed the torturings of 
 youths who, alas, were often maimed for life, 
 yet I bore it all : the Church commanded it, 
 and she could do no wrong. 
 
 " At last the day came when I was told that 
 but one more task awaited me ere I returned 
 to my distant village. 
 
 "That night 1 prayed that I might be en- 
 abled to discharge it successfully, although my 
 heart was sick at the brutalities in which I had 
 been forced to assist.
 
 TESTORE 217 
 
 " My prayer was answered, but not in the 
 way that I expected. 
 
 " I was sent to act the part of confessor to a 
 maiden of English parentage, and possessed of 
 much wealth, and whose stepfather, a Spaniard, 
 had betrayed her to the Inquisition since she 
 had become a heretic. 
 
 '* He was of a greedy, grasping nature, who, 
 not content with his own riches, which he had 
 acquired in a manner abhorrent to all lovers of 
 freedom for think, Testore, of the horrors 
 of a slave's life he desired to add to it much 
 of his stepdaughter's wealth." 
 
 Arising, my friend paced the room in agita- 
 tion for awhile. I spoke not, and soon he 
 seated himself and went on with his story. 
 
 " This maiden was very fair to look upon ; 
 I had never seen her like before. Her skin 
 was white, her eyes violet, fringed with long 
 lashes, her hair soft, thick, and golden. Her 
 lips were meant to smile, not to be compressed 
 by pain ; but I spied upon her, and thereby 
 learnt of her most inmost thoughts. She 
 was taken to the torture-chamber, where they 
 stripped her of her clothing and brutally 
 handled her, and, perforce, I stood by. 
 
 " That night, when alone in my cell, a fierce 
 conflict raged within me 'twixt manhood and
 
 2i 8 TESTORE 
 
 loyalty to my beliefs, but the man in me 
 prevailed. 
 
 " I vowed to save her, and I did. 
 
 " Listen. 
 
 " We as a nation pride ourselves on our 
 knowledge of poisons, holding many secrets of 
 this art. So, because I had performed many 
 duties well for these cruel dogs of Spain, they 
 gave me permission to absent myself for a 
 time, and to leave the maiden alone till I 
 returned. 
 
 " They thought that I journeyed for them, 
 but I went to secure a poison whose peculiar 
 property was well known to me. 
 
 " My God ! even now I cannot think with- 
 out horror of those long days till I procured 
 that for which I journeyed. 
 
 " On my return I visited the girl. She was 
 weak of body but determined of will. When 
 I told her of my intent to save her, she 
 doubted me, for I was a priest. 
 
 " Yet I prevailed upon her, and she pro- 
 mised to give herself into my charge. 
 
 " Again I set in motion the wheel of hypo- 
 crisy. To my superiors I pleaded that torture 
 alone could save her soul. 
 
 " My plans were successful, for having com- 
 plete trust in me, they, upon my request,
 
 TESTORE 219 
 
 allowed me to see the maiden ere she was 
 summoned to the torture-chamber. 
 
 " And there she died, as they believed, from 
 the agony of the tortures which they inflicted 
 upon her. 
 
 " Testore ! Think on my feelings as 1 saw 
 her lying there, white, motionless, her body 
 bound to that horrible plank. 
 
 And since they wished not that her death 
 should be known for those cruel dogs hide 
 much of their wickedness, cloaking the rest in 
 the name of Christ they allowed me to take 
 her dead body whither I would. 
 
 " There was a burial in the presence of wit- 
 nesses ; but the victim Jay white and still in a 
 small room of which I alone had the key, and 
 well I had paid for the use of this chamber. 
 
 " In the early dawn, two peasants, seated in 
 a cart laden with fruit, passed out of the town. 
 I was the driver, and thou canst guess who 
 was my companion. 
 
 "And, Testore, no one suspected that the 
 maiden had but succumbed for the while to 
 the effects of the poison which I had adminis- 
 tered to her, and that I had been just in time 
 to revive her. 
 
 " My tasks were done. I had proved my- 
 self a zealous son of the Church, and I was
 
 220 TESTORE 
 
 praised, even though my hands were red with 
 blood, the blood of the innocent, and an- 
 other parish was allotted me in exchange for 
 the one I had formerly in charge. 
 
 " That girl still lives, though her body suffers 
 oft from the agonies she endured." 
 
 He paused, and I broke not the silence. 
 
 Then he stretched out his hand to me. 
 
 "Testore, my friend, 1 serve my Church, 
 but my eyes are somewhat opened to her 
 faults ; and I have sinned, but the Christ who 
 sent Love into the world will not mete out 
 to me a punishment that I cannot bear, for I 
 have aided many a traveller along life's road, 
 lighting their path onwards to a better world. 
 Not all of sin has been my life, and God will 
 be my judge. 
 
 " The maiden lives, and as my wife, and is 
 a mother. 
 
 " Should she die before me, I shall confess 
 my sin to II Santo Padre ; if not, I am content 
 to leave myself in the hand of Him Who 
 knoweth us better than we know ourselves." 
 
 A silence fell upon us both, and ere we 
 spoke again the dawn had crept in upon us 
 unawares. Then we arose and grasped hands. 
 
 Never again looked we on each other, though 
 he performed for me one great service ere he
 
 TESTORE 221 
 
 went the road which all mortals must travel 
 alone when summoned by Death. 
 
 His wife did die first, but I know not the 
 result of his confession. Yet the minds of 
 men were awakening ; we were not all dogs 
 of Spain.
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 ONE day, perchance a year after my friend's 
 departure, a stranger visited me. Immediately 
 I knew her, for her violet eyes, fringed with 
 their dark lashes, and the look of past sufferings 
 within them, told me their own tale. 
 
 Freely we talked, and I took her into my 
 room of fiddles, and there we spake much of 
 the Vescovo, and her smile was very sweet 
 when I spoke of our friendship. 
 
 Then our speech reverted to those awful 
 days of her torments. 
 
 " Signore," said she, " why do men perform 
 such cruel deeds in the name of Christ ? " 
 
 And I answered that I knew not, since this 
 name once meant naught to me. 
 
 She gazed at me inquiringly, for she knew 
 not the dark stories of my life. 
 
 " We three," added I, " think not alike, and 
 yet " 
 
 I paused, fearing to wound her, and then 
 went on. 
 
 " We know how Sebastian reverences the 
 Virgin Mary, and his love for his Church, 
 
 222
 
 TESTORE 223 
 
 although he grieves at certain of her acts, and 
 prays that aught amiss in her teachings may be 
 forgiven. Then, too, he suffers much at the 
 thought of the Purgatory which awaits those 
 who die as heretics, and he pays for masses to 
 be said daily for such souls as he fears abide in 
 this place of torment. I, too, attend mass, and 
 confess weekly, giving my doles for charities ; 
 but only outwardly I thus conform, for I can- 
 not believe in Purgatory, since those who guide 
 us unseen will lead us into a wider world than 
 this when Death greets us, where we may be 
 permitted to atone for our sins, and our punish- 
 ment will be meted out in justice, and mercy." 
 
 Her face looked troubled, as she made 
 answer, " I cannot think as ye, and I hate the 
 pomp and vanities of Rome. I have left home, 
 friends, and all, since 1 could not think as they. 
 Sebastian and I never talk of our beliefs. He 
 adores the Cross, wearing it on his person, and 
 this to me is blasphemous. And the images of 
 the Virgin, and the Saints, what are they save 
 idols ? " 
 
 I knew not what to say, yet presently I 
 replied, " I know not whence our thoughts 
 come, yet ever my mind dwells much on the 
 Unseen Ones who, I believe, are never far from 
 us.
 
 224 TESTORE 
 
 " I am a passionate, sinful man, and good 
 and evil spirits have met in combat over me, and 
 while I cling somewhat to outer forms, my 
 heart tells me that they but endure for a time, 
 and are, as it were, but stepping-stones, to help 
 us rise to better things." 
 
 Again she looked at me doubtfully ere she 
 replied, " Once my mother saw a woman 
 drowned who thought somewhat as ye. More- 
 over, she had dared to call a priest but a man, 
 denying his power to forgive sins. And she 
 brought back from the gate of death one whom 
 he had shriven, therefore they said that she 
 was in league with Satan, and she was thrown as 
 a witch into the village pond." 
 
 Soon we spoke of her son, a student in 
 Florenza, and whom she was now on her way 
 to visit. 
 
 Also she told me a little more about the days 
 of her girlhood. The man whom her stepfather 
 had wished her to wed was a slave-owner, and 
 brutal of heart and word, and he was in the 
 power of this beast. Her mother was dead, 
 and of her own father she had no recollections. 
 
 Once he who wanted her as wife, took her 
 into his arms and kissed her, and her hatred of 
 him became utter loathing. 
 
 It was terrible for her to think that she had
 
 TESTORE 225 
 
 been touched by one whose hands were red 
 with the blood of his fellow-men. Moreover, 
 she had heard him and her father speak of such 
 awful deeds that they had performed that she 
 oft could not sleep at night. 
 
 Then spoke she to me of her great love for 
 Sebastian, and how she suffered at the thought 
 that since they differed in their beliefs concern- 
 ing things of the spirit, they must be parted 
 in the hereafter, asking me if I deemed this 
 likewise. 
 
 " I cannot say," I answered ; " but our Lord 
 forgave sinners, even His very murderers, 
 therefore, methinks, He will not judge too 
 hardly our weaknesses. And I believe that He 
 will pardon all, even the vilest of us, who 
 approach Him with true repentance, and the 
 desire to lead a pure life." 
 
 And for a time we were silent. 
 
 At last she said sadly, " I wish I could think 
 as ye, but the God I worship is a God of Fear, 
 Who selects and rejects." 
 
 She asked me, too, if I thought that Sebastian 
 at times regretted the past; to which I made 
 reply, " He relies on God's judgment, and he 
 loves you." 
 
 Her cheeks flushed. After all these years, 
 they were still lovers. A pain gripped at my 
 Q
 
 226 TESTORE 
 
 heart. My beautiful lady and I would have 
 been likewise such throughout our life. 
 
 Soon after, she rose to go, but I detained her 
 a moment to ask whether her son knew her 
 story. 
 
 " He believes that his father died when he 
 was a child too young to remember him. 
 Sebastian is to him a dear friend who watches 
 his welfare." 
 
 She held out her hand in farewell, her face 
 illuminated by a smile that bespoke the beauty 
 of her soul. 
 
 " Friend," said she to me, " I am dying, and 
 I cannot tell Sebastian." 
 
 Startled at these words, I inquired if her 
 physician had told her so. Thereon she told 
 me that she dared not summon one to see her, 
 since he would, of a surety, discover that the 
 terrible pain which she so oft now suffered 
 were but the results of the tortures she had 
 undergone so long ago. 
 
 And she shivered at the recollections thereof. 
 
 " But Sebastian " 
 
 She checked me, saying, " He knows naught 
 save that I suffer somewhat at times, for he has 
 never seen me in one of the attacks which have 
 now become very frequent, and I pray that I 
 shall pass away in one of them."
 
 TESTORE 227 
 
 u But those who tend thee ? " 
 
 " None knows of them save me, for I suffer 
 alone with barred door. Nay, grieve not, for, 
 believe me, it is better so. One day I shall be 
 found dead, and my son will have received a 
 letter explaining much, and begging him to 
 buy the doctor's silence if he can. For that 
 I have saved much money." 
 
 Again she held out her hand. I bent over 
 it, and for the first time in many years I kissed 
 a lady's hand, but only in pure reverence. 
 
 Her end came even as she wished, though it 
 was long after that I heard of it through her 
 son. 
 
 Sebastian and I were parted for ever, I knew 
 not even his abode ; yet we were separated only 
 in our bodies, for our friendship remained, since 
 that could never die.
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 THE days again lengthened into weeks ; the 
 weeks grew to months, until they, too, were 
 lost in years. My nephews married, and I was 
 content, for I yearned to live alone once more. 
 Their wives were pretty little women, though 
 only one of them was true Milanese, and she, 
 " Barba " as we called her, was my favourite, 
 for she sang even like unto a bird, and danced 
 as only Nature's children can. She well 
 understood my moods, and I never shunned 
 her. 
 
 When her first-born, a big-eyed babe, was 
 laid in my arms, I kissed him I, who had 
 kissed no child save Fanciullina ; and oft indeed 
 his solemn eyes and head of curls recalled to 
 me la mia bimba. 
 
 Barba would tease me, saying she was jealous 
 of the babe's affection for me, for though she 
 was his mother, and a devoted one, he would 
 ever leave her arms to come to me. But in 
 her heart she did not mind, and when a second 
 child came, she was glad to leave him much 
 with me. 
 
 228
 
 TESTORE 229 
 
 So again I had two to love, two to cheer the 
 often long and dreary days, " my child of 
 inspiration " and the black-eyed bambino. 
 
 Never a day passed but I saw him, and when 
 I had bidden him farewell for the night, I 
 would return to my solitary room, with only 
 my thoughts for company. 
 
 Yet my work was good, though I knew that 
 soon the tale of my children, for such I called 
 my beloved fiddles, would be told, and the 
 hour must come when " my child of inspira- 
 tion " would go forth into the world ; but I put 
 off our parting as long as I could, being de- 
 termined that only the hand of a true musician 
 should take it from mine. I would not have 
 it the plaything of an hour, and then cast aside 
 and forgotten. 
 
 And I knew not which I loved the most, 
 the boy, or the 17^7. 
 
 Often the child would sleep on the bed I 
 made for him on my widest bench, and there 
 he would lie, and solemnly suck, not his thumb, 
 but his fist, whilst I played him to sleep. As 
 he grew older, Bambino knew that he must 
 never harm my fiddles, and deep within his 
 eyes I could see the glimmerings of one who 
 loves above all things music ; and he had 
 humour too. Indeed, he was a child after my
 
 2 3 o TESTORE 
 
 own heart, and when I had lulled him to sleep, 
 I would sit and ponder over the wonders of 
 childhood. If the good God spared him, and 
 me, I would stand his friend and protector. 
 
 The thought came to me to commit to notes 
 my improvisations, those at least that I could 
 remember, for so often, once played, they 
 passed away, as if a voice for that one mood 
 alone. 
 
 It was slow, laborious work, and when 
 written, it appealed not to me. 
 
 Sheet after sheet I wrote, and sheet after 
 sheet I burnt, for as soon as these inspirations 
 took form on paper, they became meaningless 
 to me, therefore I gave it up.
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 I HAD not wandered abroad with my gypsy 
 friends for very many months, and when spring 
 came, I resolved to tear myself away from the 
 boy, and join them for awhile. Methought 
 the long days in the open would, perchance, 
 restore to me some of my old impetuosity and 
 keen activity. My nephews tried to dissuade 
 me, but when I insisted, they promised to 
 guard my treasures. 
 
 Caspar knew that I was coming, and we had 
 planned to meet at a little village some miles 
 north of Milano. We were to journey into 
 strange countries, even unto Germany, for these 
 gypsies, rich and well mounted, were the un- 
 suspected emissaries of Church and State. The 
 peasants held them in respect, and the band 
 had flourished under Caspar, whom they not 
 only obeyed, but loved. 
 
 Gypsies are not always beggars, though 
 
 beggars are often thus misnamed. Neither 
 
 may they be confounded with the loiterer of 
 
 the highways. They have their rules, cere- 
 
 231
 
 232 TESTORE 
 
 monies, and order of rank, and probably 
 possess fewer faults than a king, or his nobles 
 who help him govern his realm. I never found 
 this tribe guilty of those petty acts of meanness 
 common to most communities. 
 
 That their hands were stainless, I could not 
 say; but they were my friends, and their roving 
 life, with its freedom of speech, combined with 
 their love of Nature, attracted me, and I had 
 missed them much. 
 
 Likewise, I feared that the time was nigh 
 when no longer I could roam with them. 
 
 And, though I knew it not, this was to be 
 my last journey with my friends of the road 
 and the wood. 
 
 Long before the hour appointed for my 
 setting forth, I had all in readiness, and had 
 but to await the coming of the gypsy who 
 was to bring with him a horse for me to ride. 
 Naught had I to do save to take farewell of 
 " my child of inspiration." And as I gazed on 
 it, the thought was born in me that I might 
 not leave it, lest some rude hand sought to 
 awaken its sounds. 
 
 And I determined that it should journey 
 with me. 
 
 Our way lay through Switzerland, and at 
 first that country much oppressed me ; but
 
 TESTORE 233 
 
 after a time, the snow-crowned mountains 
 held me in their thrall. We seemed such 
 pigmies to these huge, silent peaks, whose 
 rocky sides showed so many marvels of shape 
 and colour. 
 
 We lodged at small inns, where the chambers 
 in which we lay were so tiny that we deemed 
 lest we should suffocate, since so little air was 
 within them. The men grumbled, but their 
 chief bade them look forward to the delights 
 of wandering the forest tracks by day, and 
 sleeping in the open at night. 
 
 At last the land of mountains lay well behind 
 us, and great was the delight of all when we 
 encamped on the borders of a great wood. 
 
 We were very gay that evening. The men 
 jested and laughed, whilst Caspar, who for 
 many days had been quiet and thoughtful, was 
 his old debonair self once more ; and I joined 
 in the chatter, seemingly as happy as any one 
 of them. 
 
 Not far from us, a river gurgled in its bed. 
 We could see the gleam of its water as we sat 
 over our supper. When twilight descended 
 upon us, the men pleaded for music. Now I 
 had not played to them in that country of 
 snowclad heights lest any, hearing my 1707, 
 should desire to buy it. Moreover, I feared
 
 234 TESTORE 
 
 lest it might be stolen ; childish fears, but many 
 of us are given to such, despite our years. 
 
 Without in the warm air, with only my tried 
 companions as listeners, and enfolded in the 
 gathering dusk, with the rising moon to bathe 
 us in her rays, I, too, was keen to play. 
 
 And as I lifted the fiddle from its resting- 
 place, 1 knew that the music would be good 
 that night. 
 
 Caspar took his seat, and the men grouped 
 themselves around him, but I stood a little 
 way apart ; and as I raised the 1 707 to my chin, 
 a large white bird flew by. So close had it 
 flown to me that its wings brushed my face, 
 and almost 1 dropped the fiddle. Its silent, 
 sudden appearance startled all, and a cry arose 
 from many lips 
 
 " An omen ! An omen ! " 
 
 " Hush ! " Caspar spoke softly. " Death 
 flies abroad, and beckons one of us." 
 
 One of the group arose, and came towards 
 me. 
 
 " Saw you it ere you felt the touch of its 
 wings ?" he asked. 
 
 I shook my head, and with voices that 
 betrayed their fear, the men questioned one 
 another as to whom had been vouchsafed 
 the first vision of the bird.
 
 TESTORE 235 
 
 Amid the babble that had arisen, none of 
 them heeded that their chief spoke not ; but 
 I noticed, and fathomed the meaning thereof. 
 
 The wish for music died within me. I laid 
 the 1707 down, but Caspar drew nigh. 
 
 " Testore, mio bravo amico, I beg a boon, 
 the last I shall, perchance, ever crave of thee." 
 
 " I give it thee," I replied quickly, " if it be 
 within my power." 
 
 " Then play to me," he answered ; " for 
 Death, whilst listening to thy strains, may 
 forget his errand and pass on. 
 
 Pale was his face, his eyes saw beyond earth. 
 Then he turned away, and, taking a seat apart 
 from all, he hid his countenance from us. 
 
 And because he was my friend, I obeyed his 
 request. 
 
 I played as I had never before played in all 
 my life. Surely not I, but another, spoke to 
 the gypsy chief. Melodies came, and passed, 
 to be followed by chords of wonderful purity 
 and strength of tone. A triumphant march 
 was but a prelude to a night of pain and woe. 
 Then gentle cadences ushered in a day of 
 renewed hope, and a joyous song told us that 
 the hours thereof had been passed in peace. 
 
 I paused, but not for long, for the message 
 was not ended. A dirge bespoke the death of
 
 236 TESTORE 
 
 a brave man whom we laid to rest in mother 
 earth. Bitterly we grieved for the loss of a 
 true comrade, but the finale rang out in a great 
 burst of joy which was the welcome to a soul 
 that had pierced the veil. 
 
 I would that I could have retained the 
 wonders of this song, then, perchance, Testore, 
 the fiddle-maker of Milano, might have lived 
 in the memories of all as Testore the Musician ; 
 but it was not to be, for once played, it returned 
 not again to me. 
 
 I laid the 1707 down, and went to Caspar, 
 who held out his hand to me, which I grasped 
 firmly. 
 
 " Testore, mio amico ! " 
 
 Then, without another word, he strode 
 away. 
 
 Little thought I that this was his farewell to 
 me, for the White Bird, Death's Messenger, 
 had called to him, and none may refuse to 
 obey that summons. 
 
 I slept long that night, and the morning was 
 well advanced before I awoke to find that the 
 camp had been broken up, and that I was 
 alone. My horse, ready saddled and bridled, 
 was tethered near, and certain signs on a piece 
 of parchment told me where to join them. 
 
 A bottle of wine and viands had been left
 
 TESTORE 237 
 
 for me, and I brake my fast; no foreshadowing 
 of the coming horrors of the day cast its gloom 
 upon me. 
 
 The long hours of the day were mine, 
 therefore I rode till nigh the spot where I was 
 to meet my friends, then dismounting, I fell 
 to playing. 
 
 Somewhere in the depths of the wood a 
 horn was blown, and dogs bayed in answer to 
 its call. Nearer and nearer drew these sounds, 
 till presently there burst upon my view a 
 hunter of goodly proportions. The breaking 
 of brushwood told me that he was not alone. 
 
 " Up, fellow ! How durst thou remain 
 seated when I ride by ? " 
 
 He flourished his whip, but I moved not. 
 
 " Knave ! " thundered he, " knowest thou 
 not that I am the lord of this land ? " 
 
 In reply 1 only looked him in the face. 
 
 Placing the horn to his lips, he blew 
 three great blasts upon it, and forthwith his 
 attendants surrounded him ; whereon he com- 
 manded two of them to take my fiddle from 
 me, and after smashing it to fragments, to 
 scourge me to the point of death. 
 
 Tightly I grasped my child. Whilst I 
 lived, none should harm it, and as the men 
 hesitated, he repeated his command vindictively.
 
 2 3 8 TESTORE 
 
 But a form dashed 'twixt me and those who 
 had advanced to do this thing. 
 
 And the tribal call for help rang through the 
 wood. 
 
 The tyrant, seeing that the men still hung 
 back, threatened them angrily ; but ere any 
 could harm me, Caspar had struck to the earth 
 the foremost man. A hand snatched the 1707, 
 and I joined the fray. 
 
 Soon three of the assailants lay dead on the 
 ground, and the others fled. The hunter, who 
 had alighted from off his horse, fought on foot 
 with Caspar, whilst we watched their conflict 
 silently. 
 
 And well those two fought. 
 
 Suddenly they both paused, and gazed at 
 each other for one second ; then, with a bitter 
 cry of hatred, the lord of the wood lifted high 
 his sword. Too late sprang I forward, for 
 swiftly it descended, cleaving Caspar's skull in 
 twain. 
 
 Yet, as the gypsy chief fell heavily forward, 
 his weapon pierced the tyrant, thrusting him 
 backwards on the earth, and he lay, not dead, 
 but dying. 
 
 Stunned, horrified, we watched his death 
 agonies. 
 
 On Caspar we dare not gaze.
 
 TESTORE 239 
 
 A cloud had darkened the sky, and large 
 drops of rain fell, and these aroused us to 
 action. 
 
 I turned to my friend. 
 
 Ah, White Bird ! Death comes to us in 
 many ways, but better than passing to that 
 unknown land amid warmth and luxuries, it is 
 to die thus bravely, giving thy life for a comrade. 
 
 It was a fearsome sight, the staring, open 
 eyes, in which still lingered a look of pain ; 
 but the lips were parted in a happy smile. 
 
 " Men," cried I, " the blame is mine ! Slay 
 me likewise, for I have caused this thing ! " 
 
 And they stirred not to hurt me, but they 
 bade me be comforted. 
 
 " 'Twas the bird of omen," said they ; " his 
 eyes were the first to behold it, and it touched 
 thy face. This is no fault of thine, therefore 
 our bond of friendship holds." 
 
 Again I cried aloud to them to take my 
 life, but this they would not do ; instead, they 
 asked me to say the wherefore of this fray. 
 
 With lowered head, and my dead friend at 
 my feet, I told them of that which had chanced 
 'twixt the hunter and myself. 
 
 And I lifted not my eyes, for my cruel pride 
 had wrought this ill. 
 
 "Thou wert in the right, O Master,"
 
 2 4 o TESTORE 
 
 answered they. " Is it not written in our 
 forest laws that we bow not the head to those 
 who would lord it over us ? Thou hast but 
 kept faith with us. Truly thou art our 
 comrade ! " 
 
 But I would not be comforted. 
 
 Caspar's work was done. 
 
 And we must hasten from the spot, lest we 
 be taken unawares. 
 
 Hurriedly, desperately, we toiled, and soon a 
 grave awaited the slain chief. 
 
 And ever faster and faster fell the rain. 
 
 Reverently we buried him, folding his cloak 
 around him, and with girded sword we laid 
 him to rest. And a dagger that he wore in 
 his belt I took for my own. 
 
 We spoke not as we piled the earth above 
 him, whilst the trees still dripped a dirge. At 
 last our sad task was done, yet we stood awhile 
 ere we, saluting, strode away. 
 
 And still the rain fell piteously and fast. 
 
 Mile after mile we rode, scarce uttering a 
 word, and not till we encamped did one of the 
 tribe, silently, place my child upon my knee. 
 
 Caspar was gone. It lived. But what a 
 price had been paid for its safety. 
 
 That night there was no music, nor for 
 many days.
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 WE had camped in a valley amid great 
 mountains, and there we tarried, for man and 
 beast were wearied. Beppo, the gypsy who 
 had saved my 1707 on the day of that fateful 
 fight, had ever ridden at my side, and though 
 we spoke not of him, our thoughts were often 
 of the dead. 
 
 Now we sat in a circle, telling stories, and 
 for the first time since that awful hour which 
 none might forget, they prevailed upon me 
 to play. 
 
 And there came to us a page of graceful 
 form, and merry mien. 
 
 " My lord sits lonely in his chamber," said 
 he to me, " and he has sent me for thee that 
 thou mayst while away the time with thy sweet 
 sounds." 
 
 " Where dost thy lord abide, for no house is 
 nigh this spot ? " 
 
 Merrily laughed the boy, pointing upwards 
 to where a castle, unperceived by us, was perched 
 upon a giddy height. 
 R 241
 
 242 TESTORE 
 
 ct And what surety canst thou give me for 
 my safe return ? " asked 1, for this might be a 
 trap set warily for me. 
 
 " My lord is old, and the hours of the day 
 oft drag heavily," replied the page. " For hours 
 he has gloomily sat alone, speaking to none ; but 
 when thy music floated upwards to his ears, he 
 sent for me, bidding me fetch the musician 
 straightway to him. No harm shall befall thee. 
 Moreover, few indeed are the tidings that 
 reach us from the outer world, and for twice 
 ten years my lord has looked on the face of 
 none save those who serve him." 
 
 In astonishment I stared at the youth. 
 
 " Twice ten years," I muttered ; " almost a 
 lifetime." 
 
 " Even so," was the reply ; " but I speak the 
 truth. But one secret entrance there be now 
 to his domain, and without his consent none 
 can pass in or out." 
 
 " But dost thou not weary to behold the 
 world ? " 
 
 Again the page laughed, saying, " Come, for 
 I may not tarry, since my lord is slow of 
 patience, and his tongue is keen." 
 
 I glanced at Beppo, if only he might accom- 
 pany me, but when I gave utterance to this 
 wish, the page shook his head.
 
 TESTORE 243 
 
 " I dare not exceed my lord's commands," 
 said he ; " nor wouldst thou that I should, if 
 thou wert acquainted with his humours." 
 
 So, without more ado, I went with him. 
 Beppo, grasping my hand, begged in gypsy 
 patois to follow me, but this I forbade. 
 
 Through brushwood and between trees we 
 pushed our way, until we came to an open 
 space enclosed by the shelving sides of rugged 
 hills. 
 
 " Choose," said the page, " whether we shall 
 climb, or pass through the rocks to win within 
 the castle ? " 
 
 I stared around me, for it was hidden from 
 my sight. Then was I bidden close my eyes 
 for the second time in my life. 
 
 I obeyed, and even as one pinioned my arms, 
 another drew a cloth over my face, and yet I 
 had seen no one. I might have feared, but the 
 ringing laugh of my companion told me all was 
 well, for none laughs from sheer merriment if 
 danger lurks ahead. 
 
 That we had entered a cave I felt sure, for 
 the air was chill and dank. After a while it 
 became less foul, and soon the fresh air of the 
 open fanned my cheeks. 
 
 Those who had led me on either side 
 stopped, and I, perforce, too. Removing the
 
 244 TESTORE 
 
 bandage from off me, I saw that we stood at 
 the base of a peak round which tiny huts were 
 built, and there, perched aloft, was the castle, 
 proud and lonely sentinel amidst a world of 
 rugged Nature. 
 
 Well may it have been counted as the 
 strongest of the strong in the grim story of 
 feudal days. Let him who will, seek it, and 
 marvel at its mighty ruins. 
 
 Precipitous was the path that led up to it, 
 and one that could only be found easily by 
 those who had trodden it oft. 
 
 When we reached its terrace, I fain would 
 have lingered, but the page hurried me on. 
 We passed through a great hall with tapestried 
 walls, on which hung banners, shields, and grim 
 old battle-axes, whose stains were not due to 
 rust alone. Swords, encased in sheaths, shirts 
 of mail, and helmets, whereon were many a 
 deep dint, attracted my eyes, and I fain would 
 have gazed on them, but again I was hurried 
 on my way. We climbed a great stairway, and 
 beyond it we came to a room, the floor of 
 which was well covered with skins of wild 
 beasts, and here, too, the walls were adorned with 
 weapons, and the antlered heads of lordly stags. 
 
 And on the hearth there burnt a fire of logs. 
 Before it lay stretched two huge boar-hounds.
 
 TESTORE 245 
 
 One, arising, came towards me, sniffing the air ; 
 then he withdrew to his corner, as though 
 satisfied that 1 was no foe, for he rested his 
 nose on his fore-paws, and dozed. 
 
 His master spoke. 
 
 " Since Hubert approves of thee, thou shalt 
 meet with hospitality, and a safe-conduct back 
 whence thou didst come. But say, how comest 
 thou, a wanderer of the road, with such music ? 
 How hast thou learnt to play so well that thy 
 notes so clearly mounted hither ? " 
 
 *' None has taught me," I answered curtly, 
 looking him full in the face. 
 
 He was tall of stature, though now bowed 
 down with the weight of years and grief, which 
 had stricken him sorely ; but his countenance 
 lacked the lines of cruelty, and strength of 
 will, with justice, were written thereon. 
 
 '* Thou dost say that no one hast taught thee 
 this art ? " he queried. 
 
 And I made answer to him that this was 
 indeed the truth. 
 
 " Then from whence come thy melodies and 
 songs ? " 
 
 " From my own heart," replied I simply. 
 
 " Nay," said he, " that cannot be, for thou art 
 but a creature of the road, albeit thou art clean 
 of visage and raiment."
 
 246 TESTORE 
 
 " And wherefore not ? " retorted I. 
 
 " Methought that all of thy kind were foul, 
 and often loathsome to behold." 
 
 And at these words I smiled, telling him 
 that those who love beauty cannot endure dirt 
 and filthy rags. 
 
 tf So be it ! Yet never in all my travels have 
 I met one such as thee, though beggars in 
 plenty have beseeched my alms ; but naught of 
 the world have I seen for a score of weary 
 years, methinks that it must have changed." 
 
 And he glanced down at his left leg, which 
 was twisted and deformed. 
 
 So much pity I felt for this afflicted man 
 that I fain would have given him of my best ; 
 but though this I could not do, my music 
 pleased him greatly, and he ever begged for 
 more. Sleeping memories of his youth were 
 awakened ; his face softened, his eyes lost 
 their keen and somewhat hard look, and a 
 suspicious moisture gathered in them. 
 
 "Enough," said he at last, fingering a ring 
 which he wore upon a finger of his left 
 hand. 
 
 Then he shook his head, muttering dubiously, 
 " If thou wert other than an idle wanderer " 
 
 He stayed his voice, and I spoke not. 
 
 " Methinks a trinkgeld better fitted for thee.
 
 TESTORE 247 
 
 Hans shall conduct thee to thy comrades, when 
 thou hast eaten and drunk." 
 
 Clapping his hands, he summoned the page, 
 to whom he gave certain orders which I 
 comprehended not, since they were spoken 
 in a tongue strange to me. Hans left the 
 room, to return speedily with a small leathern 
 bag which he presented to his master, who, 
 opening it, took from within a golden coin, 
 which he offered to me. 
 
 And I accepted it, for I wished to play the 
 game of vagrant to the end. 
 
 But I thanked him coldly, and again a 
 doubtful look crept into his eyes, and he bid 
 me go, adding, " Methinks thou art not that 
 thou dost appear, but know that no spy has 
 ever met with mercy at my hands." 
 
 On our way downwards to the great entrance 
 hall, I was allowed to loiter, and to ask many 
 questions, for the page was glad to hold con- 
 verse with one of the outer world. 
 
 When I had partaken of a bountiful repast, 
 the steward, who had spoken much with me 
 whilst I ate, begged for music ere I departed, 
 and 1 had no wish to refuse his request since, 
 truly, time must oft hang heavy in this still 
 castle whose stir and might were of the past. 
 
 We were far from the old lord's room, and
 
 248 TESTORE 
 
 the way hither had been through winding 
 passages, and down many stairways. Much 
 had I learnt from the steward and the page of 
 the bygone greatness of this place, together with 
 the legends that made up part of its history. 
 
 At last when they were weary of talking, 
 I lifted my fiddle and bow. 
 
 Now none sat in the great hall with me save 
 these twain, but above in the gallery which 
 surrounded it had assembled cooks, grooms, 
 servers, and all who formed part of this house- 
 hold, for word had been passed to them that a 
 musician would give to them of his music. 
 
 And motionless and silent, they drank in 
 every note. 
 
 When at length I paused to rest awhile, I 
 became aware that another had joined us, for 
 apart from the steward and the page sat one 
 veiled in a long cloak. 
 
 And the sight of that form awakened 
 memories of long ago. 
 
 So much my hand shook that almost I let 
 the bow fall to the ground. 
 
 The steward leant towards me, asking in 
 broken Italian if aught was amiss with me. 
 Seeking to check the trembling of my limbs, 
 which had so frightened him, 1 inquired if the 
 nun had dwelt long within these walls.
 
 TESTORE 249 
 
 And he replied, " Since my lord's affliction 
 he has ever had one to attend him, and to while 
 away the hours of the day with song or story, 
 for he loves such things." 
 
 Faster beat my heart. 
 
 Suspicion became a verity. 
 
 Angelo mio ! 
 
 And all these years had passed since I had 
 seen her face to face. Then she had given me 
 words of hope which, alas, had never been 
 fulfilled. 
 
 The steward's voice still fell on my ear, yet 
 scarce comprehended I that he said. 
 
 " My lord wearied of her who tended to him 
 ere this one came, for she was slow of speech, 
 and of no pleasant humour. In sooth, she 
 would read naught to him save Latin prayers, 
 or the life of some saint. But," he crossed 
 himself, " she who sits there has done much to 
 lighten his pain and weariness, for it is hard for 
 one who has so often ridden to the wars to be 
 thus helpless. Truly, my lord thinks there is 
 none like unto her, and though she seldom 
 smiles, we all love to serve her. Moreover, she 
 is of high birth, but has surrendered all her 
 riches to the Church to atone for the sins of her 
 house." 
 
 Pausing, he looked on me, and I knew that
 
 250 TESTORE 
 
 he expected some remark, so I asked him if he 
 knew her country, or name. 
 
 And he answered, " She is a Florentine, and 
 a Principessa of a great house of that city." 
 
 I lifted the 1707, for play I must lest passion 
 overcome me ; but ere I drew the bow across 
 the string, my eyes sought again that silent 
 form. The chair was empty, but my heart 
 well knew that she had but withdrawn from 
 out my sight. 
 
 And that vast hall resounded with a wild cry 
 of unfulfilled love, and as these strains died, 
 lost hope and utter loneliness took the place 
 thereof. Then my soul fain would speak to 
 her. 
 
 And I played as I had not played since that 
 night when the White Bird, Death's Messenger, 
 had summoned Caspar, for now my music 
 spoke of passion conquered, and of love 
 supreme.
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 WHEN I regained my comrades I said but 
 little to them of my adventures in that grim 
 old castle, yet, methinks, Beppo knew that my 
 heart had been rendered heavy by some sore 
 remembrance, though he, even as the others, 
 forbore to question me. 
 
 And we now turned our faces homewards, 
 yet it was long ere we crossed the borderland 
 of our own land, for warily and by devious 
 roads we travelled, but we met with no other 
 happenings worthy of my pen to record. 
 
 Of the slain Duke we never heard more, 
 and I, at least, seldom thought of him, though 
 on Caspar my mind often dwelt ; and when the 
 rain fell, I would think of that lonely grave 
 within the forest of a strange land. 
 
 Ever those for whom I cared were taken 
 from me. 
 
 The boy had not forgotten me, and he became 
 my only friend ; he alone lightened the solitude 
 of my life. Many spoke of me as one mad, 
 yet I heeded not their words. 
 251
 
 252 TESTORE 
 
 Neither was I unhappy, and, at whiles, flashes 
 of my old self would tell me that I was still 
 Testore, the fiddle-maker of Milano. 
 
 And that which remained of earthly love 
 within me, gave I to my fiddles and to Bambino, 
 who never feared me, even in my moments of 
 deepest gloom. 
 
 His hands, though still small, could hold a 
 fiddle, and thereat I much rejoiced. Truly he 
 loved me, and we well comprehended each 
 other. 
 
 At night I oft would remain sleepless, with 
 the memories of the past to keep me company. 
 Then were my thoughts mostly of my beautiful 
 lady. 
 
 One evening, a stranger came to me with a 
 sealed letter from Sebastian. 
 
 " Testore, thou dost know much of my life. 
 May God forgive me if I now do wrong. She 
 who loves thee is dying, and craves to look 
 on thee. 
 
 " Long and tedious will be the journey ere 
 thou canst win to her, yet place thy trust in 
 him who brings to thee this missive. He will 
 leave thee in a hut hard by the convent, and 
 thou shalt find ready for thee the garb that will 
 turn thee into a priest, for as such shalt thou
 
 TESTORE 253 
 
 be admitted to her cell. A ring, hidden amidst 
 the robes that thou must don, will be thy 
 passport to her who shall come to fetch thee 
 hither. 
 
 " Hasten, Testore, my friend, for Death has 
 set his mark on her, and God grant that thou 
 comest in time. 
 
 " And pray, too, for me, lest I have again 
 offended." 
 
 Angelo mio dying, and alone, in a dreary cell. 
 
 I forgot the long years that had passed since 
 we last had clasped hands, methought but of 
 her as she was on that day when she had given 
 to me of her kisses, whispering low, timid 
 words of love. 
 
 Angelo mio ! 
 
 My heart cried out in bitter pain, though my 
 tongue was mute. 
 
 Always my dear ones had died ere I could 
 reach them, and at this thought a thick mist 
 formed around me. Staggering, I must have 
 fallen save that one caught at me and held 
 me. 
 
 " Signore," said the messenger, " I fear for 
 thee lest thou canst not endure the hardships 
 of the road." 
 
 Immediately my strength of will returned.
 
 254 TESTORE 
 
 I would, I could, dare all to see my beautiful 
 lady ; but what if Death arrived the first ? 
 
 Muttering a few words of thanks to him for 
 his care, I said that I was ready to ride that 
 very minute ; but to this he replied that not 
 till the morrow should we set forth, for his 
 steed must have a night's rest. 
 
 And thus it had to be. 
 
 The early morning saw us galloping on the 
 highway without the city, and Fear rode at my 
 side. 
 
 My beautiful lady awaited me. Would I, 
 or Death, win the race ? My eyes strained 
 ahead, I bit my lips till blood oozed forth ; 
 and still I spurred onwards the beast, whilst 
 the thud of his hoofs on the hard ground 
 seemed to say in my ears, " Dying ! dying ! " 
 
 And I would have ridden thus till my steed 
 had dropped, had not the messenger prevailed 
 upon me, warning me that if I overrode the 
 beast, then naught save a long rest would revive 
 him, and we were in a neighbourhood where 
 good mounts were scarce. 
 
 So, perforce, I heeded his words, but ever the 
 same refrain rang in my ears, " Dying ! dying ! " 
 
 For many days we rode, and each night we 
 lodged at a wayside inn. 
 
 Whether my companion deemed me mad I
 
 TESTORE 255 
 
 know not, or, perchance, he fathomed that it 
 was grim fear that made me silent and morose, 
 for I scarcely spoke, or ate, or slept. 
 
 Yet the distance lessened. 
 
 At length we stood without that lone hut. 
 
 And none came forth to greet us, or to bar 
 the way. 
 
 And here my companion left me, after bid- 
 ding me be ready within the hour for her who 
 should come for me. 
 
 And I donned the garb of a priest which had 
 been placed for me within a small inner room. 
 
 And if the ride hither had seemed an endless 
 age, this one hour that remained ere I knew 
 whether my beautiful lady still lived was an 
 eternity. I battled with my fears, subduing 
 them to an outwardly calm demeanour, though 
 within me turmoil raged. 
 
 Seated on a chair, with open breviary before 
 me, I awaited the coming of the holy woman. 
 
 Footsteps sounded on the pathway without 
 the cottage. A dismal cough made me lift my 
 eyes from the page upon which I appeared to 
 be so intent. And an aged nun stood before 
 me. She gazed upon the ring which I had 
 placed upon a finger. Removing it, I held it 
 out that she might the better see it. Imme- 
 diately she returned it to me, for she was
 
 256 TESTORE 
 
 satisfied that 1 was the father confessor for 
 whom she had been sent,*that he might accom- 
 pany her to shrive the dying. 
 
 And I wondered at her age and weariness. 
 Why was she not on her sick bed, dying ? 
 
 Methinks she suspicioned my thoughts, for 
 a glimmer of comprehension came into her 
 calm eyes ; yet she uttered not a word, only by 
 a gesture she signified that I was to follow her. 
 
 With downcast head and folded hands she 
 went before me, and I chafed at her slow, 
 measured tread, howbeit, I dare not quicken 
 my pace. 
 
 My heart cried out at each step I took, 
 " Angelo mio ! " 
 
 Thus we came at length to a lone wood, 
 overtopped by high hills, and amidst its dense 
 growth of trees we wended our way, our slow 
 progress becoming a crawl. 
 
 And my beautiful lady awaited my coming. 
 
 Surely years were being heaped unto my tale 
 of them, and I was as old as the nun before 
 me, who, methought, had forgotten all she 
 might once have known of life, or love, else 
 she had tarried not lest Death even now did 
 win the race. 
 
 At length we stood before the convent. 
 
 Dear God ! At last ! at last !
 
 TESTORE 257 
 
 And we passed through its gateway. 
 
 Almost I cried aloud, horror-stricken, at the 
 sight which met my eyes, for rows of empty 
 graves confronted me. Dumbly I wondered, 
 as 1 gazed on these yawning mouths of black, 
 drear earth, if all the inmates of the convent 
 were dying of some fell disease. 
 
 But the face of the aged nun was as calm as 
 ever. 
 
 We paced gloomy corridors, past silent cells, 
 where many a pure-souled woman on bended 
 knees prayed for forgiveness. 
 
 And yet, methinks, these knew not sin. 
 
 Without one of these we stopped, and my 
 guide drew forth a key, whilst her tongue 
 remembered the way to speak. 
 
 " Sister Marie is dying, and Rome has per- 
 mitted that thou dost shrive her. Anon I come 
 to thee." 
 
 Boldly I replied, " Much has thy sister to 
 confess ; therefore, since we would that her 
 soul sped speedily to its Maker, I shall tarry 
 some while." 
 
 Curious indeed was the glance that she gave 
 me. Again that glimmer of comprehension 
 shone in her eyes. Naught answered she, but 
 gliding away, left me to enter the cell alone. 
 
 My God ! Dost thou delight that one who
 
 258 TESTORE 
 
 has done no wrong, save it be a sin to love, 
 wears out the life that comes whence we know 
 not, in bitter misery ! 
 
 Cold, with damp oozing from floor and wall, 
 with but a slit of a window to admit of air or 
 light, containing naught save a straw pallet, was 
 the cell in which my beautiful lady had sought 
 to work out her own redemption. 
 
 And there, on that pallet, she lay. 
 
 My soul cried [ out in bitterness of grief, but 
 the cry was checked ere it was uttered aloud as 
 I, gazing on her face, read thereon the suffer- 
 ings she had borne. 
 
 So still was she that I feared that Death had 
 won the race. I knelt beside her. 
 
 "Angelo mio !" 
 
 She knew my voice, for with slowly opening 
 eyes, whose light was of the life to come, she 
 turned to me that I might hold her in my arms. 
 
 " Carlo mio ! " 
 
 Scarce heard I the words, so weak and faint 
 was her voice. 
 
 " My sins are many, and this, I fear, the 
 greatest of them all." 
 
 " Angelo mio ! " I bent to her dear face that 
 she might hear. " All these years God has taken 
 of thy prayers, and He has sent me to thee." 
 
 Death's shadows deepened in her eyes.
 
 TESTORE 259 
 
 What could I say ? 
 
 The tolling of a bell which grated on my ears 
 only recalled to her some remembrance, for she 
 sought to rise, but I bid her rest. 
 
 Her lips moved, she gazed upon the crucifix 
 which hung beside her bed. 
 
 For one little minute the almost spent life 
 within her flashed forth anew. Folding her 
 hands, as though she prayed, she turned to 
 me with a glorious look of peace upon her 
 countenance. 
 
 " Carlo mio, the Christ forgives. See, how 
 he smiles on me." 
 
 She sank back exhausted in my arms. 
 
 And surely Love, and Forgiveness, were 
 depicted on the sculptured face of the Saviour, 
 or was it but the reflection from a ray of light 
 that, piercing the narrow window, fell athwart 
 the crucifix ? 
 
 I know not. 
 
 Passion's chains were loosed from off me. 
 
 The bell still tolled. 
 
 She lifted her eyes to mine. 
 
 " Carlo mio, forgive 
 
 The lids dropped. 
 
 The bell had ceased, and without in the 
 corridor I heard voices chanting. I laid the 
 lifeless form down, crossing the hands which
 
 260 TESTORE 
 
 were so soon to be hidden in the grave which 
 they had dug. 
 
 " De profundis clamavi ad te Domine : 
 Domine, exaudi vocem meam." 
 
 Surely they sang it for me, not for her 
 who lay there white and still. 
 
 The voices ceased. 
 
 Then again the De Profundis rang out 
 clearly, and, sin-stained man of passion that 
 I was, my heart sought to echo that cry for 
 mercy. 
 
 Not yet was the time for me to cry aloud 
 in agony of soul. For the sake of my 
 beautiful lady I must remain the priest. 
 
 And, when the nun at last returned, she 
 found me kneeling beside the dead. 
 
 Did she suspicion that I had been gazing 
 my last on a beloved face ? 
 
 With slow and steady steps I left the cell. 
 Without, one delayed me, for a holy woman 
 knelt before me, soliciting a blessing. I 
 placed my hand upon her head, then passed 
 out amidst those dreary graves. Scarce could I 
 restrain my agony of heart and soul, but 
 solitude might ease me, and into the depths 
 of the wood I plunged, shunning all paths. 
 
 A wild waste of heath and shrub obstructed 
 my steps. I stumbled, fell, and Jay prone.
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 My life-story draws to its close. 
 
 When I crept back to my corner after that 
 fateful journey, I was feeble, and my hair 
 was white. I worked at times, but fitfully, 
 sometimes not stirring from my bench for 
 hours, and then for days I did naught save 
 sit and dream of the past. 
 
 And the years passed slowly, and had it 
 not been for my fiddles, methinks I might 
 have become insane. And when frequent 
 long fits of melancholy fell upon me, I would 
 not even see the boy, yet there were times 
 when he greatly comforted me. 
 
 And the day came for me to bid farewell 
 to " my child of inspiration." 
 
 1 shed no tears as, with trembling hands, 
 I gave it into the care of one who, even as 
 its maker, would cherish it. And when he 
 bore it away, I fretted but little, for my 
 thoughts dwelt so often on that dreary convent 
 garden with its gloomy trees, and rows of 
 gaping mouths of hungry earth waiting for 
 their dead. 
 
 261
 
 262 TESTORE 
 
 The boy, as he reached the years of man- 
 hood, made friends. His work was very 
 good, and promised to excel mine. Music 
 came easily to him, and when my pain was 
 at its worst, his melodies would soothe me ; 
 for more and more I suffered from the effects 
 of the illness which had overtaken me when 
 I had fallen sorrow-laden to the earth. Stupi- 
 fied by grief, I had lain there till the early 
 morn, and then I lingered in that wood till 
 the tolling of a bell announced to me that 
 my beautiful lady was about to be laid in 
 her last resting-place. 
 
 Hidden by the thick shrubs that grew close 
 to the walls, with throbbing head, and bruised 
 and bleeding hands, I watched the sombre 
 procession of nuns emerge from the convent 
 door ; and when they who bore the form of 
 my beloved one reached her grave, 1 saw 
 them start, for it was carpeted with sweet 
 moss and flowers. 
 
 Fever fell on me that night, and it was 
 long ere I arose from my sick couch. 
 
 What more can 1 say ? 
 
 All I have loved have left me, save the boy. 
 
 The fierce fire of earthly love and passion 
 is deadened within me, and alone I sit amid 
 the cinders of the past. None of the old 
 wild impulses stir my heart to reckless doings.
 
 TESTORE 263 
 
 1 glance oft at my hands, knowing full well 
 that never again will they shape a fiddle, or 
 rub thereon a varnish. 
 
 My tools are for the boy. 
 
 Of my family of children, all are gone, 
 save one, and her fiddle that I have cherished 
 all these years. 
 
 I cannot say farewell to it. I cannot bear 
 to think that other hands may hold that which 
 hers have held ; yet it may be that strength 
 will be given me to let a stranger take it, 
 or shall I have it laid, when I am gone, within 
 the ground beneath the tree under whose 
 branches my beautiful lady and I first met ? 
 
 It hangs before me on the wall, and for 
 hours I watch the shadows play on it. 
 
 The vagaries of a weary brain lie heavy on 
 me. The selfishness of earthly love still 
 clings somewhat to my feeble frame. 
 
 FINALE 
 
 TESTORE, the fiddle-maker of Milano, the 
 erstwhile reckless profligate, the loving father, 
 and the passionate lover, is dying. 
 
 He is alone, for this is his will ; but, 
 although he knows it not, the boy [[and his 
 faithful servant stand close by, for only a 
 curtain hides them from his sight.
 
 264 TESTORE 
 
 And raising a corner thereof, they look on 
 him as he lies so still, with closed eyes, and 
 fingers interlaced. They venture to his side. 
 He looks on them, and pain is in that look, 
 for Death tarries, and the dying fain would pass. 
 
 Now shines his countenance with joy. 
 
 " Angelo mio ! I come ! " 
 
 " His mind wanders," whispers the boy to 
 the old dame. 
 
 Feebly the thin and tired fingers pluck at 
 the bed-covering, and with fast-falling tears 
 his servant takes his hands within her own. 
 
 " Fanciullina ! " 
 
 A smile illuminates his face, his eyes express 
 the happiness of one who looks upon a beloved 
 friend. 
 
 Now droop their lids. 
 
 They kneel, for Death, who has robbed him 
 of his all, has come at last, and only the frail 
 shell of Carlo Giuseppe Testore, fiddle-maker 
 of Milano, remains on that couch. 
 
 Reverently they prepare it for the tomb, 
 and around the neck they find a crucifix and 
 chain, and much they wonder thereon. 
 
 THE END 
 
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