“Assuredly; I should presume so,” the duchess answered for them.
“Ay; undoubtedly,” Weisspriess supported her.
“Then,” Laura smiled encouragement to Wilfrid, “you know nothing of Count Ammiani's marriage after all?”
Wilfrid launched his reply on a sharp repression of his breath, “Nothing whatever.”
“And the common servant's communication was not made to you?” Anna interrogated Weisspriess.
“I simply followed in the track of Pierson,” said that officer, masking his retreat from the position with a duck of his head and a smile, tooth on lip.
“How could you ever suppose, child, that a common servant would be sent to deliver such tidings? and to Major Weisspriess!” the duchess interposed.
This broke up the Court of inquiry.
Weisspriess shortly after took his leave, on the plea that he wished to prove his friendliness by accompanying Private Pierson, who had to be on duty early next day in Milan. Amalia had seen him breaking from Anna in extreme irritation, and he had only to pledge his word that he was really bound for Milan to satisfy her. “I believe you to be at heart humane,” she said meaningly.
“Duchess, you may be sure that I would not kill an enemy save on the point of my sword,” he answered her.