Then they were lowered again ere she began to address him.
"You have done very ill, Falcone," said she.

"You have abused my trust in you, and you have sought to pervert my son and to lead him into ways of evil." He started under that reproof like a fiery stallion under the spur.

His face flushed scarlet.

The habit of obedience may have been strong in Falcone too; but it was obedience to men; with women he had never had much to do, old warrior though he was.

Moreover, in this he felt that an affront had been put upon the memory of Giovanni d'Anguissola, who was my father and who went nigh to being Falcone's god.