Mastino repeated the words slowly, and looked at Ligozzi who had brought them. "And to see me alone?"
"With terms from Visconti—so they said," answered Ligozzi. "Terms of peace."
"From Visconti!"
Mastino looked out through the open entrance into the blinding summer day, and then back at Ligozzi. "I fear they come with no honorable terms—from Visconti victorious."
"They would never dare come with dishonorable ones—to thee, my lord," returned Ligozzi.
Mastino laughed bitterly.
"Dare! He is Visconti—with near all Italy at his back—he knows no such words as shame or honor. And I must see his messengers," he added, after a pause. "I know no such words now as pride or refusal."
Ligozzi turned, but hesitated at the entrance.
"And—alone?" he asked. "They are from Visconti."
"And may be skilful in dagger thrusts and poison," said Mastino. "Nay, that is not what I fear, Ligozzi." But he unstrapped his sword and laid it on the table in front of him. "All the same, I will have thee with me, Ligozzi. I see not why I should humor them too far—I shall have naught to say thou mayst not hear."