"That is generous in Gian Visconti, seeing we are not—equals."
Giannotto wished the Duke could have heard both words and tone. Visconti's birth was a sore point with him. The secretary wondered if there might be found a safe way of repeating them. De Lana flushed a little under Mastino's steady gaze and quiet scorn of the master who had sent him.
"The Duke of Milan sends by us this," he said, and laid the parchment before Mastino. "These are his terms, my lord."
But Della Scala did not drop his eyes to it.
"What are these terms?" he said.
"They are set forth there, my lord," began Giannotto.
"So you have forgotten what they are, or did Visconti not tell you?" and Della Scala handed the roll to the secretary. "When you have read it, tell me what Gian Visconti says."
He leaned back, his eyes still on them.
Giannotto bit his lips in vexation.