Half an hour later Giannotto and the captain waited in the guard-room of Isotta's prison. Valentine, one of her women and the page, had entered the prison itself. The Duke's signet had passed through all the formidable barriers. It was late, almost dark. "This shows a malice in the lady I do not like," said de Lana. "What need she to triumph over her brother's victim?" "She is a Visconti," returned the secretary. "She has something of the Duke's temper and his strangeness--there may be in it curiosity also." "Curiosity?" "To behold for herself if Isotta d'Este be as fair as she is--to spy into her brother's treatment of his prisoners." "Have you seen the lady, my lord?" "I?--never," replied de Lana. "Nor do I greatly care to." Giannotto made no reply; he felt unusually placid and content. He saw plainly enough that Valentine was outwitting her brother, and as he hated the Duke and admired his sister, he would help her with all his power as long as he ran no risks. Visconti had not left _him_ in charge--and for asking no untimely questions, Valentine would reward him well. With some excitement he awaited her return. "She is a long time," said de Lana impatiently. "She has her brother's daring," thought Giannotto. "And yet--she would hardly dare that--hardly." The door of Isotta's prison was opened and Valentine came out, followed by her attendants--dark-cloaked figures keeping in the shadow. Adrian closed and bolted the door behind them as she slowly stepped down into the room. "The prisoner is sick," said Valentine. "Not dangerously so, I hope; we would not have her die in my brother's absence. She has fallen asleep and must not be disturbed. Where is her woman?" Luisa shuffled forward. "You will not rouse your prisoner until my return with a physician," she continued. "She sleeps. I will return or send; till then let no one pass those doors, nor you yourself." The page and Valentine's two women still stood on the steps in the shadow. "Come," said Valentine suddenly. "Much as I am relieved to see my brother's hostage in such security, this is gloomy dark--come, Costanza." The two ladies moved forward, one weeping sadly, keeping her hands to and fro her face. "The poor lady hath unnerved her," said Valentine with a sharp word of reproof, and she crossed to d'Orleans. "Now it seems to me," said de Lana to Giannotto, "that only one lady entered with the Princess." "Your eyes deceived you," smiled Giannotto. "I am trained to watch; I saw two enter." De Lana was silent. The two ladies had joined the few others left by the outer door, the soldier kept his eyes upon the one who wept. Valentine was talking gayly to d'Orleans, and led the way across the garden. "On your life I charge you to guard the prisoner," she said to the captain and the soldiers. "She means more to the Duke than his own life almost--more most certainly than any other," she added meaningly.