"Yes, and 'tis said they cannot fail in getting Reggio."
"Then my lord's arms are everywhere victorious!" cried Graziosa with sparkling eyes.
"And we can hope for peace," continued Graziosa softly.
"And when peace is proclaimed you will be Duchess--almost Queen--of Lombardy, Gian Visconti's wife!"
There was a note of envy in the speaker's voice at such a splendid destiny, but Graziosa did not notice it. She even shuddered faintly at Visconti's name; it had been associated with awe and terror too long for her to be able to easily shake the fear away.
"Meanwhile, the sun is shining hot, lady," said a third attendant. "Will you not come into the shelter?"
Graziosa moved away; the white roses at her bosom were not more pure than her face. Two pages lifted her rich train, and as she crossed the terrace a third came and spoke to her on bended knee.
"My Lord Giannotto waits your pleasure, lady."
"Tell him I am here," and the color rose in Graziosa's face at so much honor.
She turned to the steps where Giannotto waited, cap in hand, and advanced toward him.
"Lady," said the secretary, bowing low, "my lord sent me to say he will wait on you himself; and meanwhile if you have any commands----"
"Indeed, my lord is too good; what commands should I have?--tell him so, with my deepest thanks, sir."
Giannotto looked at her curiously, with a mixture of pity and wonder.
"He comes himself, lady, to hear your thanks, and learn your will."
And he stepped aside, joining the group that had been gathered about Graziosa.
Gian Visconti was coming through the garden, a grave-looking man by his side, a white hound at his heels, and two boys following, one bearing a wooden case, the other carrying a roll of drawings.
Visconti was talking to his companion; he was in the best of humors, at the height of triumph and success, his enemies well under his heel, his ambitions on the point of being gratified.
Graziosa came to the head of the steps, and Visconti took his gold cap off and waved it, coming up them gayly.
She stood silent in the glory of the sunshine and held out her hands, and he kissed them, and looked at her and laughed pleasantly.
"Now art thou happy, _donna mia_?" he said. "Hast thou all that thou couldst wish?"