But Vincenzo, hot-tempered and passionate, sprang forward with boyish passion.
"Thou shalt not have the emerald," he cried.
"Must I fight for it?" smiled Conrad, and glanced at Vincenzo's little dagger. "The emerald seems worth it—only I should be afraid of hurting thee." And as he spoke he poured out more wine, drinking it gracefully.
"I will fight only with an equal," said Vincenzo.
Conrad turned on him, and for all his smile his blue eyes were dark. "Thou reckless boy!" he said. "The Germans are the lords of Italy. What is thy family but a fief to the Emperor?"
Vittore had watched the scene in terror. Tomaso had let him know Della Scala had left Schulembourg in trust, and he felt his master was hardly acting as the Duke had meant. In childlike fashion, eager to stop the quarrel, he spoke his thoughts.
"My lord," he said, "shall I not accompany you to the Duke of Padua's tent, as the Prince commanded?"
"Commanded!" cried Vincenzo, catching at the words. "Aye, Count Conrad, remember my brother's commands!"
"I remember none," returned the Count haughtily. "What dost thou mean, boy?"
But Vittore lost his courage under the angry glance.