'Ha, boy! I am glad to see the good relations between Bice and yourself. I had fancied a coolness between you lately.' 'I am the Countess's servant, as I am yours, my lord.' 'Aye, aye,' Facino grunted, and poured himself wine from a jug of beaten gold. 'She likes your company. She grudged you once, when I sent you on a mission to Genoa. I'm brought to think of it because I am about to repeat the offence.' 'You wish me to go to Boucicault for men?' Bellarion showed his surprise. Facino looked at him quizzically. 'Why not? Do you think he will not come?' 'Oh, he'll come. He'll march on Milan with you to smash Malatesta, and afterwards he'll try to smash you in your turn, that he may remain sole master in the name of the King of France.' 'You include politics in your studies?' 'I use my wits.' 'To some purpose, boy. To some purpose. But I never mentioned Boucicault, nor thought of him. The men I need must be procured elsewhere. Where would you think of seeking them?' And then Bellarion understood. Facino wanted him away, and desired him to understand it, which was why he had dragged in that allusion to the Countess. Facino was made reticent by his deep love for his unworthy lady; his need for her remained fiercely strong, however she might be disposed to stray. Bellarion used his wits, you see, as he had lately boasted. Why had Facino spied that night in Milan? Surely because in the relations between Bellarion and the Countess he had already perceived reason for uneasiness. That uneasiness his spying had temporarily allayed. Yet not so completely but that he continued watchful, and now, at the first sign of a renewal of that association, it took alarm. Though Facino might still be sure that he had nothing to avenge, he could be far from sure that he had nothing to avert. A great sorrow welled up from Bellarion's heart. All that he now was, all that he possessed, his very life itself, he owed to Facino's boundless generosity. And in return he was become a thorn in Facino's flesh. 'Why, sir,' he said slowly, smiling a little as if in deprecation, 'this matter of levies has been lately in my thoughts. To be frank, I have been thinking of raising a condotta of my own.' Facino sat bolt upright in his surprise. Clearly his first emotion was of displeasure. 'Oho! You grow proud?' 'I have my ambitions.' 'How long have you nursed this one? It's the first I hear of it.' Blandly Bellarion looked across at him, and bland was his tone. 'I matured the conceit as I rode abroad to-day.' 'As you rode abroad?' Facino's eyes were intently upon his face. It conserved its blandness. The condottiero's glance flickered and fell away. They understood each other. 'I wish you the luck that you deserve, Bellarion. You've done well by me. You've done very well. None knows it better than I. And it's right you should go, since you've the sense to see that it's best for ... you.'