"I will leave no shadow of doubt in your mind, Madonna," he said in
explanation.
They waited in silence--for Lanciotto's presence hindered conversation--
until Ercole returned accompanied by the man-at-arms and Zaccaria, who
had now changed his raiment. Before they could question the new-comer,
such questions as they might have put were answered by the greeting that
passed between him and his fellow-servant Lanciotto.
Gonzaga turned to Valentina. She sat very still, her tawny head bowed
and in her eyes a look of sore distress. And in that instant a brisk
step sounded without. The door was thrust open, and Francesco himself
stood upon the threshold, with Peppe's alarmed face showing behind him.
Gonzaga instinctively drew back a pace, and his countenance lost some of
its colour.
At sight of Francesco, Zaccaria rushed forward and bowed profoundly.
"My lord!" he greeted him.
And if one little thing had been wanting to complete the evidence against
the Count, that thing, by an odd mischance, Francesco himself seemed to
supply. The strange group in that dining-room claiming his attention,
and the portentous air that hung about those present, confirmed the
warning Peppe had brought him that something was amiss. He disregarded
utterly his servant's greeting, and with eyes of a perplexity that may
have worn the look of alarm he sought the face of Valentina.
She rose upon the instant, an angry red colouring her cheeks. His very
glance, it seemed, was become an affront unbearable after what had
passed--for the memory of his kiss bit like a poisoned fang into her
brain.
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