Then, careless of her secret, she flashed out in wrath, "Ah, you scorn me, my lord! You care nothing for me. I am dirt to you. Yet I hold your life in my hand!" And then in an instant she grew again softened, beseeching, "Am I so hideous, dear lord, that death is better than my love? For if you will love me, I will save you." "I know not how my life is in your hands," said he, glad to catch at that and leave the rest of what Venusta said. "Is there any path that leads higher up into the mountains?" she asked. "Yes, there is one," said he; "but if need came now, I could not climb it with this wounded foot of mine." "Luigi and the young men could carry you?" "Yes; but what need? Tommasino and the band will return soon." But she caught him by the hand, crying, "Rise, rise; call the men and let them carry you. Come, there is no time for lingering. And if I save you, my Lord Antonio----?" And a yearning question sounded in her voice. "If you save me a thousand times, I can do nothing else than pray you spare me what is more painful than death to me," said he, looking away from her and being himself in great confusion. "Come, come," she cried. "Call them! Perhaps some day----! Call them, Antonio." But as she spoke, before Antonio could call, there came a loud cry from the wood behind the cave, the cry of a man in some great strait. Antonio's hand flew to his sword, and he rose to his feet, and stood leaning on his sword. Then he cried aloud to Luigi. And in a moment Luigi and one of the youths came running; and Luigi, casting one glance at Venusta, said breathlessly, "My lord, Jacopo's foot slipped, and the poor fellow has fallen down a precipice thirty feet deep on to the rocks below, and we fear that he is sore hurt." Venusta sprang a step forward, for she suspected (what the truth was) that Luigi himself had aided the slipping of Jacopo's foot by a sudden lurch against him; but she said nothing, and Antonio bade Luigi go quick and look after Jacopo, and take the other youth with him. "But we shall leave you unguarded, my lord," said Luigi with a cunning show of solicitude. "I am in no present danger, and the youth may be dying. Go speedily," said Antonio. Luigi turned, and with the other youth (Tommasino told Niccolo his name, but Niccolo had forgotten it) rushed off; and even as he went, Venusta cried, "It is a lie! You yourself brought it about!" But Luigi did not hear her, and Antonio, left again alone, asked her, "What mean you?" "Nay, I mean naught," said she, affrighted, and, when faced by his inquiring eyes, not daring to confess her treachery. "I hope the lad is not killed," said Antonio. "I care not for a thousand lads. Think of yourself, my lord!" And planning to rouse Antonio without betraying herself, she said, "I distrust this man Luigi. Is he faithful? The Duke can offer great rewards." "He has served me well. I have no reason to mistrust him," said Antonio.