'I am accounted bold,' Bellarion reminded him, deeming it necessary.
'Aye, aye!' The shifty eyes fell away uncomfortably under his glance. 'But if she is kindly disposed, then ...'
'I know that she was, highness, and may be rendered so again. Though perhaps less easily now than heretofore.'
'Less easily? Why so?'
'As Facino's widow, she is in wealth and power the equal of many a prince in Italy. She has considerable dominions ...'
'Torn by Facino from the great heritage left by the Duke my father.' In that rare burst of indignation his whole bulk quivered like a great jelly.
'They might be restored to the ducal crown by peaceful arts.'
'Peaceful arts? What arts? Will you be plain?'
But the time for direct answers was not yet. 'And not only has the Countess lands, but the control of a vast fortune. Some four hundred thousand ducats. You will need money, highness, for the pay of this great army now under Bergamo, and your own treasury will hardly supply it. There is taxation. But your highness knows the ills that wait on that for a prince newly come into his own. And not only the lands and money of which your highness stands in need, but the men also does the Countess bring.'
'You but repeat yourself.'