"Dost thou remember the huts outside thy villa, Conrad—and Francisco who rescued thee? I am giving thee a trust. For his sake wilt thou be faithful?"
"To the death!" cried Conrad. "Prince, I will be faithful to the death!"
"Count," said Mastino earnestly, "I return from Brescia to-morrow, bringing d'Este up with me to join in an assault on Milan that will make the city ours, I trust, within a week. Of necessity I leave Carrara for these hours in command—almost all the men are his providing—but," his voice sank still lower, "I do not completely trust him—I doubt his loyalty. I have misgivings as to the use he may make of my absence, therefore," he paused and laid his hand on Conrad's shoulder, "I leave you, Count von Schulembourg, privately in charge. Watch him—never leave him out of your sight till my return."
"Good! I understand! I swear!" cried Conrad again.
Mastino Della Scala looked into his eyes.
"I trust thee," he said simply. "Thou knowest how my wife's safety lies on my soul—and if Carrara play false, we are well-nigh ruined. These weeks have I had him under Ligozzi's eyes, day and night, and now thou must take my place." Conrad kissed Mastino's hand in silence, his emotional nature overcome to tears.
"Come, my lord, the time wears," said Ligozzi, and Della Scala turned to leave.
At the entrance he looked back.
"Remember, I trust thee, and thee solely, Conrad," he said. As he dropped the flap behind him, he turned to Ligozzi.