t an exaggerated
sense of the supernatural. Read this, by all means--it should prove
interesting."

"Yes, read it, John." Suzanne and Eric spoke almost together.

So, in the circle of rosy light at their little table, John read the
story of the Medici boots. It was not a long story and it was told in
the language of an anonymous translator, but as John read on, his
listeners were drawn together, as by a spell. They scarcely breathed,
and the summer night that was so mildly beautiful seemed to take on a
sense of hovering danger.

"In the palace of Giuliano de' Medici I have lived long. I am
an old woman now, as the years are reckoned in this infamous
place, though I am but fifty and three.

"Separated from my betrothed, duped, sold into the marble
labyrinth of this hateful palace, it was long before my
spirit broke and I went forth, bejeweled and attired in
elegance, among the silk-clad Florentines. I was labeled the
most beautiful mistress of any of the Medici. I was smirked
at, fawned upon for my lord's favors, obscenely jested about
in the orgies that took place in the great banquet hall of
the palace.

"But in my heart always lay the remembrance of my lost love,
and in my soul grew black hatred for the Medici and all their
kind. I, who had dreamed only of a modest home, a kind
husband, black-haired, trusting little children, was made a
tool of the Medici infamy.

"In time, I almost felt myself in league with the Devil.
Secretly, and with a growing sense of elation, I made
frequent rendezvous with a foul hag whose very name was
anathema to the churchly folk of Florence. In her hole of a
room in a certain noisome street, she imparted to me those
terrible secrets of the Black Arts which were deep in her
soul. It was amusing that she was paid in Medici gold.

"The corruption of the Medici bred in them fear; in me a sort
of reckless bravery. It was I who poisoned the wine of many a
foe of the Medici. It was I who put the point of a dagger in
the heart of the old Prince de Vittorio, whose lands and
power and palaces were coveted by my lord, Giuliano.

"After a time, bloodshed became an exhilaration to me; the
death agonies of those who drank the poisoned cup became more
interesting than the flattery of the Medici followers. Even
the ladies of the house of the Medici did me the honor of