They were not trained to dealings with it.
"Greetings from Gian Visconti, Duke of Milan," took up the secretary. "Moreover, we bring terms of peace for your acceptance, my lord."
Mastino was silent a space, and Ligozzi, standing behind his chair, looked at them with an ill-concealed abomination that Giannotto's quick eyes noticed keenly.
"My lord, is the one with you to be trusted even as yourself?" he asked, submissively. "For our mission, Prince, is secret."
"He is my friend," said Mastino, shortly. "And now these terms of peace?"
"The Duke is weary of the war," said de Lana. "He hath powerful allies, my lord."
"And the choice of means to crush me," interposed Mastino, his bright eyes fell on the speaker, "are in his hands, you would say? Perhaps; and yet, messer, I ask for no quarter from Gian Visconti." De Lana bowed.
"Nor could he offer it, my noble lord; only terms as between equals."
Mastino smiled bitterly.