The words stung him like a whip-lash.
He bowed his head.
"I will see Count Capecé at once! He will not refuse a boon to Ilaria Caselli!"
She had arisen, as if to suit the action to the words.
He gently drew her back, disregarding her resistance, her wondering look.
"It is beyond recall!"
From the castle court there came the sound of a fanfare.
Neither noted it.
Yet a touch of impatience tinged Ilaria's words, as she turned to him anew.