"Count," said Mastino earnestly, "I return from Brescia to-morrow, bringing d'Este up with me to join in an assault on Milan that will make the city ours, I trust, within a week. Of necessity I leave Carrara for these hours in command--almost all the men are his providing--but," his voice sank still lower, "I do not completely trust him--I doubt his loyalty. I have misgivings as to the use he may make of my absence, therefore," he paused and laid his hand on Conrad's shoulder, "I leave you, Count von Schulembourg, privately in charge. Watch him--never leave him out of your sight till my return." "Good! I understand! I swear!" cried Conrad again. Mastino Della Scala looked into his eyes. "I trust thee," he said simply. "Thou knowest how my wife's safety lies on my soul--and if Carrara play false, we are well-nigh ruined. These weeks have I had him under Ligozzi's eyes, day and night, and now thou must take my place." Conrad kissed Mastino's hand in silence, his emotional nature overcome to tears. "Come, my lord, the time wears," said Ligozzi, and Della Scala turned to leave. At the entrance he looked back. "Remember, I trust thee, and thee solely, Conrad," he said. As he dropped the flap behind him, he turned to Ligozzi. "Will he be worthy of it, Ligozzi?" he said. "But I must perforce trust him when there is no other." Outside the Duke's tent, his escort was in readiness to start, and his white horse stood waiting, held by Tomaso. "After all, my lord," whispered Ligozzi, "Carrara _may_ not be false." Mastino shook his head. "He only waits the opening," he said. "What does console me," he added, "is that I shall be back to-morrow." And he looked toward Milan as he spoke. "Ligozzi," he continued wistfully, "how long the time seems since I saw her. The last words I heard her speak are forever in my ears: 'While thou livest I fear nothing'; and I live, Ligozzi. Sometimes I am ashamed of it!" "You live to free her, my lord," said Ligozzi softly. Mastino mounted in silence. "Yes, I live for that," he said, after the pause. He turned and saw Tomaso watching him. "Yes, thou shalt come with us," he smiled; "only mount in haste. The time wears on." At this moment, foremost among a little group of horsemen, Carrara cantered toward him, black-eyed, smiling, richly dressed, a plumed cap between his smooth white fingers. "Farewell, Carrara," said Mastino. "Count von Schulembourg is second in command. I leave all to your discretion, subject to my orders already given." Giacomo bowed, but made no reply other than his smiling eyes. His meditated treasons were ripe for execution, and he could scarce contain himself at the good fortune of it; Visconti's messenger had reached him the same day that Della Scala rode away. There remained only Conrad.