'Why, that I have talked with you fruitlessly; that either you have no knowledge of Barbaresco or else you withheld it from me.'
'Shall you come again?'
'If you desire it. The way is open now. But what remains to do?'
'You may discover that.' Thus she conveyed that, having resolved to give him her trust, she gave it without stint.
They came back into the hall, where stiff and formally Bellarion made his valedictory bow, then went to take his leave of the Regent.
The Regent disengaged himself from the group of which he was the centre, and, taking Bellarion by the arm, drew him apart a little.
'I have made a sounding,' Bellarion informed him. 'Either she mistrusts me, or else she knows nothing of Barbaresco.'
'Be sure of the former, sir,' said the Regent softly. 'Procure credentials from Barbaresco, and try again. It should be easy, so.'