She looked regal, glorious. There was a fine color in her cheeks.
De Lana kissed her hand. She did not wait for him to speak, her eyes wandered over the assembled faces.
"I have not come before, my lords," she said, "because I thought the Duke might at any moment be again among us; but now, hearing you were gathered here and that there was some question of the Duke's pleasure in his absence as to who should issue orders for him, I am come to answer it in person."
She drew nearer the head of the table, d'Orleans dropping a step behind.
"My lords, the Duke left me in power; in any absence he may make, enforced or at his pleasure, I rule in Milan."
"You, lady!" cried Giannotto, the words forced from him in his great surprise.
"I," answered Valentine. "Though I am no man—I am a Visconti. Has not the Duke left me in charge before, de Lana?"
She turned to the captain as she spoke.
"In the late war with Florence—yes, lady."