"So you have forgotten what they are, or did Visconti not tell you?" and Della Scala handed the roll to the secretary. "When you have read it, tell me what Gian Visconti says." He leaned back, his eyes still on them. Giannotto bit his lips in vexation. "Spare Visconti's loving greetings. To the point, in a few words," continued Della Scala, as the secretary still hesitated. "Then, my lord, this: the Duke of Milan will leave you Verona, where you may rule under his protection, provided you now put into his hands every other town you or your allies now, singly or together, hold." Mastino flushed and half rose. "Gian Visconti might have spared these insults," he said sternly, "and you yourself the relating of them. When have I so shown myself such that your master should think I could betray Lombardy to keep one town? Get back, I have no answer save I have left you your lives." De Lana fingered the parchment nervously. "That is not all, my lord," he began, and stopped suddenly. "I cannot say it," he murmured to Giannotto. Della Scala beat his feet upon the floor impatiently. "Do you think I am afraid to hear?" he said. "Still, it may be spared. I see, Gian Visconti's spirit is not peace but insult. On no terms will I treat with him." "On no terms?" repeated Giannotto. "On no terms of insult," said Mastino coldly. "I favor Visconti too much in listening so long. Leave me and take your lives back for answer." "Better listen, perchance, my lord, before refusing," said Giannotto. "It is the Duke's interest to offer you these terms; methinks it will be no less yours to at least consider them." De Lana stood silent, his eyes upon the ground. After this, give him plain soldiering. "What plot has Visconti hatched now?" asked Della Scala. "What more has he to say?" Giannotto's pale eyes twinkled unpleasantly. "Only this: Visconti bids me tell Della Scala, Duke of Verona, that if he refuse his terms we take them instantly to my Lord of Este; also he bids me remind my Lord Della Scala that he hold the Duchess of Verona, my lord's dear wife." Ligozzi drew a deep breath and looked at Della Scala; he had not quite expected this. But Della Scala rose with a white face and stared at the two ambassadors, incredulous. "Surely even Visconti will not use that against me?" he said. "Visconti must have the towns; Visconti holds your wife. The rest is for you to reflect upon, my lord: or, since you refuse all terms, we will take them to my Lord of Este. Perhaps he will give up the towns and save his daughter." And Giannotto turned toward the entrance. "Stay!" cried Mastino, in an agony. "Stay! your terms again----" He dropped back into his seat with wild eyes on Giannotto. All his calm had fled, his pride was cowed: the secretary noted it, well pleased, but De Lana shrank from his changed look.