“Not yet, duke,” rejoined Bonnivet, who did not appear at all uneasy; “I have a proposition to make to your highness, which I think will be agreeable to you. You must be quite certain that I did not come to Milan with any hostile intent.”
“I do not ask the motive of your visit, my lord,” replied Sforza. “It is sufficient that you are here—and my prisoner.”
“Hear me out, duke,” said Bonnivet. “I have to propose an exchange of prisoners.”
“An exchange!—ha! Whom do you offer?”
“Giovanni de' Medici,” replied Bonnivet.
“Giovanni de' Medici!” echoed Sforza, in surprise. “I did not know he was a prisoner.”
“I took him this morning,” returned Bonnivet. “Let me return to Abbiate-Grasso, and I will set him free.”
“You underrate yourself, Admiral,” said Sforza. “I shall lose by the exchange.”
“I will add ten thousand ducats,” said Bonnivet.
“Excuse the doubt, my lord; but have you that sum?” demanded Sforza.