"I would there were some one else to read these dispatches," said Conrad. "I love not this part of soldiering. When, think you, will there be another city to be taken, Vincenzo?"
"There was fighting yesterday outside Milan," returned the boy. "Thou shouldst have gone."
"I asked the Prince to let me, but as usual I was bade stay at my post." And Conrad rose with a sigh of outraged virtue and adjusted the points of his rose-colored doublet.
"Asked the Prince!" mocked Vincenzo; "thou shouldst have gone without asking him."
"A dash on the walls," said Conrad, "that is what we need, not this idleness and skirmishing. I long to grasp my sword and fly to my Lady Valentine's rescue--but the Prince----"
"Tell me not," said Vincenzo. "I know Mastino always counsels prudence, and I am weary of it."
"The Prince knows more of it than we, doubtless," admitted Conrad. "Nevertheless these parchments may wait while I have a game of chess with thee."
"May they, Count Conrad? And is chess thy notion truly?" said Mastino's voice without, and unannounced he entered the tent, followed by Tomaso's father, Giorgio Ligozzi.
His eyes fell on Vincenzo, and his face darkened.
"For shame, Vincenzo," he said, with scorn. "Thou art no longer a child, to indulge in these page's tricks, and much I marvel Count Conrad should allow thee such license."
"Leave us," continued Della Scala with angry eyes. "And learn from yonder soldiers to play the man, and wear a leathern jacket with more grace than a silken doublet. I am ashamed of thee, Vincenzo."
"'Tis not always the leathern jacket comes out best at time of need, my lord," he said defiantly. "Try me in it in a fight."
Della Scala's glance softened; he laid his hand on the boy's shoulder gently.
"Thou art a d'Este and my brother, Vincenzo. I do not fear thy behavior in battle, only learn the harder part--to bear thyself while waiting."
Vincenzo was melted, but not caring to show it before Conrad, left the tent without reply.
"He hath the makings of a soldier in him for all his willfulness. I pray you pardon his present idleness, my lord, and hold me as the cause," said Conrad. "I should have roused him sooner."
Mastino glanced around. It was the first time he had entered the German's abode, and the lavishness of its appointments were not to his taste.
