DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.55699#0150
118
THE LANDSCAPE ANNUAL.
his countess in the care of one of his friends, Durazzo
followed the offender, to demand the cause of this in-
solence. “ My name,” said the aggressor, “ is Camillo
Ranuzzi ■, and I will repeat the insult wherever I meet you,
though it were before the footstool of the pontiff s throne.”
Every explanation was denied, and a promise of satisfac-
tion on the following morning was all that Durazzo could
obtain. They met at daybreak in the deserted area of
the ancient amphitheatre ; and so eager was Ranuzzi for
the encounter that he had passed the night amongst the
ruins. The contest was begun in silence, till, in making
a pass which he imagined would be successful, Ranuzzi
exclaimed, “ Traitor ! remember Beatrice Monti!” The
voice of Camillo produced a more deadly effect than his
sword, which merely grazed the breast of his adversary.
The weapon of Durazzo fell from his hand ; he stood for
a moment, as though irresolute, and then, opening his
breast, cried, “ Strike ! your sword shall be welcome 1”
Camillo had not expected this termination of the ren-
contre, and the generosity of his temper was roused.
He vainly entreated Durazzo to resume the combat ■, but
finding himself defeated in his object, he passionately
broke his own sword, and retreated from the theatre.
From this period Count Durazzo endured, with a pa-
tience and insensibility, which they who knew his spirit
and courage could scarcely credit, a series of the most
extraordinary persecutions from the hands of Camillo
Ranuzzi. Taunts, threats, and provocations of the most
galling description were vainly showered upon him and
even when, wrought up to a frenzy of passion, Ranuzzi
struck him as he was walking, surrounded by a number
THE LANDSCAPE ANNUAL.
his countess in the care of one of his friends, Durazzo
followed the offender, to demand the cause of this in-
solence. “ My name,” said the aggressor, “ is Camillo
Ranuzzi ■, and I will repeat the insult wherever I meet you,
though it were before the footstool of the pontiff s throne.”
Every explanation was denied, and a promise of satisfac-
tion on the following morning was all that Durazzo could
obtain. They met at daybreak in the deserted area of
the ancient amphitheatre ; and so eager was Ranuzzi for
the encounter that he had passed the night amongst the
ruins. The contest was begun in silence, till, in making
a pass which he imagined would be successful, Ranuzzi
exclaimed, “ Traitor ! remember Beatrice Monti!” The
voice of Camillo produced a more deadly effect than his
sword, which merely grazed the breast of his adversary.
The weapon of Durazzo fell from his hand ; he stood for
a moment, as though irresolute, and then, opening his
breast, cried, “ Strike ! your sword shall be welcome 1”
Camillo had not expected this termination of the ren-
contre, and the generosity of his temper was roused.
He vainly entreated Durazzo to resume the combat ■, but
finding himself defeated in his object, he passionately
broke his own sword, and retreated from the theatre.
From this period Count Durazzo endured, with a pa-
tience and insensibility, which they who knew his spirit
and courage could scarcely credit, a series of the most
extraordinary persecutions from the hands of Camillo
Ranuzzi. Taunts, threats, and provocations of the most
galling description were vainly showered upon him and
even when, wrought up to a frenzy of passion, Ranuzzi
struck him as he was walking, surrounded by a number