'It will be cold up there, madonna. But you need cooling. Coolness restores judgment. It will bring you back to a sense of duty to your lord.'
She came to her feet beside him, quivering with anger. Almost he thought her intention was to strike him.
'Have you come here to spy upon me?'
'Of course. Now you know why I broke my leg.'
She looked unutterable scorn. 'The Princess Valeria is right in her opinion of you, in her disdain of you.'
His eyes grew sad. 'If you were generous, madonna—nay, if you were merely honest—you would not embrace her opinions; you would correct them; for you have the knowledge that would suffice to do so. But you are not honest. If you were, there would be no need for me to speak now in defence of the honour of your absent lord.'
'Is it for you to say I am not honest?' There was now more of sorrow than indignation in her voice, and tears were gathering in her eyes, to deepen their sapphire hue. 'God knows I have been honest with you, Bellarion. It is this very honesty you abuse in your present misjudgment of me. Oh! Me miserable!' It was the cry of a wounded soul. She sank down again into her chair. Self-pity welled in her to drown all else. 'I am to be starved of everything. If ever woman was pitiable, I am that woman; and you, Bellarion, you of all living men that know my heart, can find for me only cruelty and reproach!'
It moved him not at all. The plea was too inconsequent and illogical, and the display of a lack of reason repelled him like a physical defect.
'Your plaint, madonna, is that Facino will not make you a duchess. He may do so yet if you are patient.'
Her tears had suddenly ceased.