Valentine went white: she had not expected this so swiftly.
"The Lady Graziosa is in danger of her life," continued de Lana.
"'Tis no fault of mine," said Valentine. "What do you want with me?"
Costanza clung to her, weeping loudly.
"Have done!" said the soldier, sternly. "Follow behind your lady. You will follow me, Princess."
"Seeing I cannot help it," retorted Valentine, with flaming cheeks. "Where is my brother? Where is the Duke d'Orleans?" She looked round once; from somewhere there stepped forward two of de Lana's men and took their places at her side. She moved up the stair, Costanza with her, weeping with fear.
The corridors were empty, save for the soldiers at their posts. De Lana opened the door of the Duke's apartments and stood aside for her to enter, but Valentine shrank back.
"'Tis the Duke's orders," said de Lana, and he moved Costanza back. "You will enter alone."
Then Valentine summoned up her courage, and when she had passed the door, de Lana followed and stood beside it.
Visconti was at the table, behind him Giannotto, and at her entrance he raised such a white, distorted face of fury, that Valentine quailed and sank back against the wall.