Valeria had remained with her shoulders to them facing the fire. Bellarion's entrance, discovering her in Carmagnola's arms, had covered her with confusion, filled her with a vexation not only against himself but against Carmagnola also. From this there was no recovery until Camagnola's words came now to promise a conclusion of their troubles far speedier than any she had dared to hope.
'You'll answer for it?' said Bellarion. 'And if you fail?'
'I will not fail. You say yourself that it is soundly planned.'
'Did I say so much? Surely not. To be frank, I am more afraid of Theodore of Montferrat than of any captain I've yet opposed.'
'Afraid!' said Carmagnola, and sneered.
'Afraid,' Bellarion repeated quietly. 'I don't charge like a bull. I like to know exactly where I am going.'
'In this case, I have told you.'
Valeria slowly crossed to them. 'Make the endeavour, at least, Lord Prince,' she begged him.
He looked from one to the other of them. 'Between you, you distract me a little. And you do not learn, which is really sad. Well, have your way, Francesco. The adventure may succeed. But if it fails, do not again attempt to persuade me to any course through which I do not clearly see my way.'
Valeria in her thanks was nearer to friendliness than he had ever known since that last night at Casale. Those thanks he received with a certain chill austerity.