ace, and the banqueting hall beyond. He stepped in s

d in colouring. From domed ceiling to panelled floor the walls were carved with men, women, saints, martyrs, flowers, and birds wrought together, in simple-minded joyousness of design, executed with the delicate workmanship of Niccolo Pisano's school. Silk arras, hung from carved gold rods, here and there concealed the carving. A carpet, the wor

e room were rustled apart, and a lady entered. She was Valentine Visconti, Gian's sister. Her dress was of red and brown, embroidered with gold, her tawny hair piled high under a golden net upon her well-set head. She had the cle

Visconti sat. Gian returned her gaze, not

et spies upon m

h Count Conrad?' he returned. 'I was

y eyes

hat was grown intolerable,' she

nti s

great deal to me. Through thee our family will be united to the Royal House of F

a Visconti: she advan

on the throne. Mark me, Gian, sooner than wed a Prince whom thou hast chose

t the choice,' he

e more as she fel

ke!' she cried. 'I will

e carried,' s

twisting her hands in

he Duke of Orleans

ach him? Come, my sister, be calm, the Duke will make as good a husband as Count Conrad. Bethink thyself, thou

e fell t

an being who ever turned to me in pity. The only o

e crosses the path of a Viscon

e lifted

ad, then?

the Duke of Orleans, and thou art a prisone

left her, and reached the door, hi

rward with a cry.

upon the curtain, an

s gleamed richly in the subdued light that fell upon her from the painted window. 'I know thee for w

t Brescia,' and Visconti t

, 'and they died as our broth

on her. Valentine quailed, as Francisco well-nigh had done; the hot words of remorse and rebelli

er noiselessly.