"But in those two days?" questioned Ligozzi.
"Visconti seems to have ceased all sallies," said Della Scala; "and yet I know not what this quiet means."
"It means his policy was ever caution," returned Ligozzi. "Of a sudden he may——"
"He may do anything," cried Mastino; "he hath Milan and Rome and the Empire to back him. Still do I hold many towns. Verona is strongly fortified; I lie between him and Mantua. He cannot fall on those."
"He has Padua, Bassano, Mestre, and Chioggia," said Ligozzi.
Mastino struck his hand against the tent impatiently.
"I know!" he cried. "I know the odds are not equal! When I seek to comfort myself, why wilt thou remind me, Ligozzi? What can I do? Nothing but what I say: march on Milan. And mark me, Ligozzi; whatever befall, if all desert me to a man, if d'Este fail me, I will not leave the walls of Milan—alive, without my wife."
"I will not desert thee," said Ligozzi simply. "I will never desert thee, my lord."
"I never doubted thee," returned Mastino impulsively. "Ah, forgive me if I am harsh, for in truth my heart is very heavy; when I think of her—in Visconti's power—it is terrible! terrible!"