"What has that to do with you and me, Simon?" This was the right moment, she thought, to call him by his name. "I care nothing for affairs of state. In Siracusa we have better things to do with our time than worry about alliances and wars." "Everyone will be affected by what happens here concerning the Tartars," he said. "Even the people of Siracusa." She tried to look impressed. "If _you_ think it would be so good for Christians and Tartars to fight together against the Saracens, I cannot imagine why my uncle is against it." "I do not understand that either," said Simon. "Or why he brought this man David to Orvieto to cause so much trouble." She shrugged. "I hardly ever see the man from Trebizond. My uncle's mansion is so big, people can come and go without ever meeting." She hoped the suggestion would take root. It was vital for him to think there was no connection between David and herself. "This is a God-given opportunity for us to rescue the Holy Land," he said. "Perhaps I can help you," she said. "Would you?" His face brightened. "I could try to find out why my uncle opposes your cause. If you will tell me why we Christians _should_ ally ourselves with the Tartars, I will repeat your reasons to him. I will not say they came from you. Hearing the arguments in private, coming from a loved niece, he might open his mind to them." Simon's eyes opened wide in amazement. "You would do all that? But why are you so willing to help me, Madonna, when your uncle is so opposed to my cause?" "Because I would like"--she hesitated just for a breath, then put her hand on his arm--"I would like to see more of you." She was on dangerous ground. The tradition of courtly love, in which he had doubtless been reared, called for the woman to be aloof and for the man to beg for meetings. But Daoud had told her she did not have the time to allow this inexperienced young man to proceed at his own pace. He appeared overwhelmed with happiness. Her answer had just the effect she had hoped for. "But you must help _me_," she said with the satisfied feeling that she was now closing the trap. "You must teach me what to say to my uncle. As I said, it would be easy for you to come to me without anyone knowing. Will you visit me when I send for you?" "Oh, Madonna! Command me." His eyes were huge now, and his smile was like a full moon shining into the atrium. "I command you to come over here with me," she said. She took him by the hand, and, as a light rain began to fall, led him into a shadowy corner of the open gallery that surrounded the garden. He pressed her back against a column. She lifted her veil and let him kiss her fiercely as the rain pattered down on the lemon trees. She became entirely Sophia Orfali and tasted his kisses hungrily, dizzy with joy at having won the love of a splendid young nobleman. * * * * *