Free Then and Now by W. Somerset Maugham

of cedar with ivory inlay. He tuned it and proceeded in a low voice to sing. He was not only very fond of music, but had a technical knowledge of it, and he had written the words and himself composed the melody of several songs. As he finished he noticed that tears were in Serafina's eyes. He put down the instrument and had looked at her kindly.
    'I didn't wish to make you cry.'
    'It reminds me of my boy, so far away and exposed to so many dangers among those heathen people.'
    'It'll be good experience for him, and under the protection of Messer Bartolomeo his future is assured.'
    She gave him a pinched glance.
    'Lazarus must be thankful for the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table.'
    Her acid remark assured him that he had not been far wrong in his conjecture.
    'The Holy Scriptures assure us that in heaven the position will be reversed,' he answered.
    She gave a laugh that was more like a snort.
    'He would give half his wealth to have my children.'
    'It is strange that none of his three wives should have produced a child.'
    'You men, you always think it's the woman's fault. Monna Caterina has her head screwed on her shoulders all right; she knows that if Aurelia doesn't have a baby soon it'll go badly with both of them. No more fine dresses then. No more rings and bracelets. I've known Bartolomeo all his life. He doesn't give much away for nothing. Monna Caterina is wise to worry. She's giving Fra Timoteo money to pray that Aurelia should conceive.'
    'Who, pray, is Fra Timoteo?' asked Machiavelli.
    'Their confessor. Bartolomeo has promised to give a Virgin and Child when Aurelia has a son. Fra Timoteo is making a pretty penny out of them. He twists them round his little finger, and he knows as well as I do that poor Bartolomeo is impotent.'
    Machiavelli had learnt more than he had hoped; a scheme beautiful and simple flashed through his mind and he thought it wise to drop the conversation. He idly plucked the strings of the lute.
    'You're right, it's a beautiful instrument. It's a pleasure to play on it. I don't wonder that you were unwilling to let your son take it overseas.'
    'You are very sympathetic, Messere,' she said. 'If it gives you pleasure to play, I will lend it you while you're here. I know you'll be careful with it.'
    Machiavelli had been wondering how he could induce her to make such an offer: she saved him all further trouble. There was no doubt about it, he had a way with women: it was a pity she was old, haggard and sallow; otherwise he might have permitted himself a little nonsense with her. He thanked her warmly.
    'It will be a comfort to me to sing the little songs my wife is fond of. I haven't been married to her long and she is pregnant; it was hard to leave her. But how could I help it? I am a servant of the Republic and I must put my duty before my inclination.'
    When, a little later, Machiavelli left her he had persuaded Serafina that he was not only a person of distinction, but a good husband, a sincere friend, and an honest, charming and reliable man.

11
    At the appointed time one of the Duke's secretaries, accompanied by men with torches, came to fetch him, and Machiavelli, calling one of his servants to follow, started out for the Palace. The Duke received him with a show of affection that was the more surprising since two nights before he had dismissed him in a passion. He appeared to be in high spirits. He mentioned the fall of the fortress of San Leo in an off-hand way and seemed to have no doubt that he would easily settle the trouble in Urbino. Then in an intimately confidential manner that would have flattered Machiavelli had he been sensible to flattery he told him that he had sent for him to impart some news that would interest the gentlemen of the Signory. He produced a letter he had just received from the Bishop of Aries, the Pope's legate in France, in which the Bishop told him that the King and the Cardinal, his minister, were anxious to please him and knowing that he needed men