"My lord——"
Ligozzi put his hand upon his master's arm.
"My lord——"
Mastino raised his head and looked at him; his face was distorted, his eyes unnaturally bright.
"Give them their answer, my lord," said Ligozzi. "Every moment gives them a triumph. Send it now."
"Now," cried Mastino, hoarsely. "They gave me till to-night—surely, Ligozzi, they gave me till to-night."
"Thou dost not need until to-night, my lord. Visconti asked thy honor."
"And offered me," said Della Scala slowly, "Isotta."
Ligozzi looked at him horror-struck; an awful thought was breaking on him.
The eyes of the two men met; Ligozzi's was steady, but Mastino's flinched.