'Object? Object?' he protested, acting amazement. 'But more than ever, my poor simpleton. Thy case is double-damned thereby. Think you the other would rest on the thought of a rival, and such a rival, at large? Thy very existence would be a menace to his guilty peace. I come, indeed, as a friend to warn thee. Lie close; stir not out; the very air hath knives. Be cautious, even of thy shadow on the wall, of thy hand in the dish.'
He said it calmly and distinctly, looking towards Narcisso, who all this time had stood hunched in the background, his dull brain struggling bewildered in a maze. But the urgency of this innuendo penetrated even him; the more so when he saw Tassino leap and fling himself on his knees at the Prince's feet.
'What do you mean?' shrieked the young man. 'Is he in their pay? O Messer, save me! don't let me be poisoned.'
He pawed and grovelled, looking madly over his shoulder. Ludovico laughed gently, disregarding him.
'Nay, I know not,' he cooed. 'It is a dog that serves more masters than one.'
Narcisso slouched forward, and ducked a sort of obeisance between sullen and deferential.
'What's to-do?' he growled. 'I serve my patron, Messer Duke's son, like an honest man. What call, I say, to warn 'en of me? Do I not earn my wages fairly?'
'Scarcely, fellow,' murmured Ludovico—'unless to betray thine employer be fair.'
Narcisso scowled and lowered.
'Betray!' he protested, but uneasily. 'That is a charge to be proved, Messer.'