Bellarion shrugged and spread his hands a little. 'I have not the confidence of the Princess. A message from me might be mistrusted.'
Carmagnola's fine blue eyes pondered him still with that suspicious glance. 'What game do you play?' he asked.
'I see that you mistrust me, too.'
'I ever have done.'
'It's a compliment,' said Bellarion.
'If it is, I don't perceive it.'
'If you did, you wouldn't pay it. You are direct, Carmagnola; and for that I honour you. I am not direct, and yet you may come to honour me for that too when you understand it, if you ever do. You ask what game I play. A game which began long ago, in which this is the last move. The alliance I brought about between Facino and Theodore was a move in this game; the securing of the person of Gian Giacomo of Montferrat as a hostage was another; to make it possible for Theodore to occupy Vercelli and make himself Lord of Genoa, yet another. My only aim was to unbridle his greed so that he should become a menace to the duchy, against such a day as this, when on the Duke's side it is my duty to advise his definite destruction.'
Carmagnola's eyes were wide, amazement overspread his florid handsome face.
'By the bones of Saint Ambrose, you play mighty deep!'
Bellarion smiled. 'I am frank with you. I explain myself. It is tedious but necessary so as to conquer your mistrust and procure your cooperation.'