It was withdrawn, gently but firmly as was its fellow. His kiss and the bold use of her name scared her a little.
'Carmagnola, my friend ...'
'Your friend, and more than your friend, madonna.'
'Why, how much more can there be than that?'
'All that a man may be to a woman, my Valeria. I am your knight. I ever have been since that day in the lists at Milan, when you bestowed the palm on me. I joy in this battle that is to be fought for you. I would joy in death for you if it were needed to prove my worship.'
'How glibly you say these things! There will have been queens in other lists in which you have borne off the palm. Have you talked so to them?'
'O cruelty!' he cried out like a man in pain. 'That you should say this to me! I am swooning at your feet, Valeria, you wonder of the world!'
'My nose, sir, is too long for that!' She mocked him, but with an underlying tenderness; and tenderness there was too in her moist eyes. 'You are a whirlwind in your wooing as in the lists. You are reckless, sir.'
'Is it a fault? A soldier's fault, then. But I'll be patient if you bid me. I'll be whatsoever you bid me, Valeria. But when we come to Casale ...'
He paused for words, and she took advantage of that pause to check him.