"
"Then let a new one be made," laughed the cardinal. "Take the measure of
this Goliath, and hasten to the silversmith, that he may make a silver
dish of the proper size. But see that it is completed by to-morrow
morning, and that it is richly ornamented. If Rome has heard of the
fish, so also must it hear of the dish. Hasten, therefore, Signor
Brunelli, and see that all is done as I have ordered!"
"This is, in fact, a very diverting story," said the cardinal, laughing,
when he was again alone. "We have here a monster fish which will
probably swallow my friendship with the Duke of Grimaldi! Well, we shall
see!"
The cardinal then rang for his body-servant, whom he ordered to dress
him.
"Court toilet?" asked the servant, astonished at being called to this
service at so unusual an hour.
"No, house toilet!" said the cardinal. "I shall soon receive visitors."
The shrewd cardinal had not deceived himself! In a few minutes an
equipage rolled into the court and the footman announced his highness
the Spanish ambassador, the Duke of Grimaldi.
"He is a thousand times welcome!" cried the cardinal, and as the door
now opened and the Spanish duke entered, the cardinal advanced to
receive him with open arms and a friendly smile.
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