"One said Modena had fallen——"
Ippolito gave a sudden cry.
"Modena!"
"Aye," said Conrad, regretfully. "And Ferrara and Verona—so I heard——"
"Mastino is dead!" cried d'Este, and Vincenzo echoed the cry wildly.
"Mastino is dead!"
"I know not," said the Count. "I cannot tell—only this, that Visconti marches this way—and once more—a good horse. Vincenzo, Saint Hubert has saved me once—I dare not ask him again!"
"Modena fallen," murmured d'Este, unheeding Conrad's words. "And Verona—Mastino dead—Visconti marches on Novara!"
"My father, we are lost indeed!" cried Vincenzo, with a white face. "If Mastino be dead——"