She observed his approach with stern eyes; and when he bowed before her she addressed him in terms that made of the difference in their ranks a gulf between them.
'I do not think, sir, that I sent for you.'
He preserved an unruffled calm, but his answering assertion sounded foolish in his own ears.
'Madonna, I would give much to persuade you that I am your servant.'
'Your methods do not change, sir. But why should they? Are they not the methods that have brought you fame?'
'Will you give your ladies leave a moment, while I speak two words with you. Messer Corsario will not be absent long. I have sent him off on a fool's errand, and it may be difficult to make another opportunity.'
For a long moment she hesitated. Then, swayed, perhaps, by her very mistrust of him, she waved her ladies back with her fan.
'Not in that direction, highness,' he said quickly, 'but in that. So they will be in line with us, and any one looking from the Palace will not perceive the distance separating us, but imagine us together.'
She smiled a little in disdainful amusement. But she gave the order.
'How well equipped you are!' she said.