Evidently Mastino's reproof was already forgotten. He leaned forward with flushed cheeks and parted lips, eager and intent on a victory at chess; war and the price of it far from his thoughts. "Hark!" said Conrad. "Thunder!" A low rumble filled the tent, d'Este took no heed. "I take thy knight," he said, "it ruins thee." Conrad laughed, he did not take the game so seriously. "I will visit Carrara," he said, rising, "and go the rounds." "Thou wilt finish the game," said Vincenzo angrily. "Does it pall the moment thou failest to win?" "My faith, I fail when it palls. But doubtless thou wilt win yet, if thou dost not grow too hot," and Conrad fanned the boy with the points of his sleeves. Vincenzo's lustrous eyes flashed. "Doubtless I shall, Count," he drew from his finger an emerald ring, "and I will stake this on it." He dropped it on the table with a rattle, and Conrad was animated at once. "And I this," he cried, "my forfeit if the game is not mine in four moves!" He placed his pearl thumb-ring beside Vincenzo's emerald. "Four moves!" cried Vincenzo scornfully, and leaned back with shining eyes. Conrad reached for the glasses with a glance of good humor at the dozing page. "A night from the infernal regions!" he said, as he poured out the wine. "How does Visconti feel to-night? Methinks some kinsfolk of his from below are abroad." Vincenzo emptied his glass and moved. Conrad emptied his and counter-moved. "I hope thy emerald was not a lady's gift," he laughed. Vincenzo bit his lip, reflected long, and moved again. Conrad turned to the slender flasks and lifted them, one after the other; empty all. "Vittore!" he called. "Vittore!" The boy rose, rubbing his eyes, half-dazed. "Bring us more wine, Vittore." Conrad turned to the board again and laughed at Vincenzo's intent face. "My move," he said; his plump hand hesitated scarcely a breath. "Check, Messer Vincenzo." "This is no light to play by," cried Vincenzo, and in annoyance he moved with too little thought. Conrad waited provokingly till fresh wine had been brought and drunk, patted Vittore's head, and turned to the game again. "Mate, Messer Vincenzo, in three moves." And he leaned back with the calm air of a conqueror. Vincenzo rose in a passion, dashing his glass to the ground. "I question thy fair play," he cried. "And I thy discretion," returned the Count, and his eyes were suddenly wrathful. "Thou art a child, and canst not play; and so like a child cry out: 'You cheat.'" "I said no word of cheating," returned Vincenzo. "Is the accusation one you are accustomed to, Count Conrad?" Conrad crimsoned. "Play another time with thy equals, boy, and take better care not to insult thy betters!" "Betters!" And Vincenzo laughed in reckless scorn, his hand on his toy-like dagger. "A d'Este demeans himself to play with thee--thou German upstart!"