Mastino had left the entrance half open, and a great shaft of sunlight fell across the ground like a branch of yellow flowers.
And as Della Scala passed it fell upon him, showing clearly his erect figure in its leathern doublet, his fine worn face and the unhappiness in his eyes, his hands locked behind his back.
The next instant he had passed into the shadow again, and Ligozzi leaned from where he sat and shook the covering into place. Twice Mastino had passed, twice he had seen the look on his face, and he did not care to see it again.
Tomaso and the page laid the armor down in silence, overawed by the silent figure pacing to and fro.
Outside it was quiet too, only now and then the gallop past of horses or the tramp of men as they moved from one part of the field to another.
At last Mastino spoke, stopping before Ligozzi suddenly.
"I have not told thee yet," he said, "but a messenger has arrived from d'Este. There have been some slight successes with his army, and he thinks that I should join him."
"And leave Milan. He thinks it is hopeless, now Rome leagues with Visconti--he thinks it better to hold what we have nor risk it all by careless daring--but I--I shall stay here, Ligozzi."
Ligozzi was silent; he knew d'Este's words were true; he knew Mastino knew it also. There was nothing to be said.
"I shall advance on Milan," continued Della Scala. "If the d'Estes' troops care not to join me, I will advance alone with my Veronese."
He sat down on the wooden bench, fingering with nervous hands his gold belt and the dagger that hung there.
"Why dost thou not speak?" he said, after a moment's pause, suddenly turning to Ligozzi. "Dost thou too think it hopeless?"
There was a wistful eagerness in his voice that struck to Ligozzi's heart; he could not utter his thought.
"With waiting, my lord," he replied. "With new allies----"
"I see, Ligozzi, I see. I am a man wanting to be persuaded against himself; yet do I still hope--against myself----"
"To rescue my wife, wouldst thou say?" flashed Mastino. "No, I do not _hope_ that: that I _will_ do--in my soul I know it; but I still hope to conquer in fair fight. What did the attempt at guile avail us? We were betrayed; open force were better."