"Will he be worthy of it, Ligozzi?" he said. "But I must perforce trust him when there is no other."
Outside the Duke's tent, his escort was in readiness to start, and his white horse stood waiting, held by Tomaso.
"After all, my lord," whispered Ligozzi, "Carrara may not be false."
Mastino shook his head. "He only waits the opening," he said. "What does console me," he added, "is that I shall be back to-morrow." And he looked toward Milan as he spoke.
"Ligozzi," he continued wistfully, "how long the time seems since I saw her. The last words I heard her speak are forever in my ears: 'While thou livest I fear nothing'; and I live, Ligozzi. Sometimes I am ashamed of it!"
"You live to free her, my lord," said Ligozzi softly.
Mastino mounted in silence. "Yes, I live for that," he said, after the pause.
He turned and saw Tomaso watching him.
"Yes, thou shalt come with us," he smiled; "only mount in haste. The time wears on."