Pagina 975 de 1118

More than once, and especially after having received a letter

from Agnes, he felt a desire to turn soldier; and opportunities

were not wanting, for at this epoch the republic was in want of

recruits. The temptation was the stronger, as there was a talk of

invading the Milanese, and it appeared to him that it would be a

fine thing to return there as a conqueror, see Lucy again, and

have an explanation with her; but Bortolo always diverted him

from this resolution. "If they go there," said he, "they can go

without you, and you can go afterwards at your leisure. If they

return with broken heads, you will be glad to have been out of

the scrape. The Milanese is not a mouthful to be easily

swallowed; and then the question, my friend, turns on the power

of Spain. Have a little patience. Are you not well here? I know

what you will say; but if it is written above that the affair

shall succeed, succeed it will, without your committing more

follies. Some saint will come to your assistance.