"Lord!" cried an eager voice. "Lord!"
It was Tomaso and his father.
"Did ye fear for me, Ligozzi?" said Della Scala kindly. "I have been praying for a patient heart." And the two who loved him looked at him awhile and could say nothing.
"My lord," began Tomaso again with a timid eagerness, "there is news——"
"Tomaso," said his father, "thy news can wait."
Mastino picked up his gauntlet from the deep window-seat where he had laid it down, and fastening it on, looked at Ligozzi.
"What hast thou to say, Ligozzi? Have any of the men returned?"
Ligozzi stood fidgeting with his cap, looking uneasily at the ground.
"Come," and Mastino smiled sadly, "I am used to bad news, Ligozzi."
"Some few men have indeed returned from Giacomo's army, my lord, some fourscore——"