"Are you convinced how little is my need for plots ?" But the Duke had no answer for him.

Speechless, and in a sort of dazed horror, he sat and scowled before him at his cousin's handsome face, what time the others watched him furtively, in silence, trembling for the young man who, here, in his grasp, had dared say such things to him.
Presently he covered his face with his hands, and sat so, as one deeply in thought, a little while.

At last he withdrew them slowly and presented a countenance that passion and chagrin had strangely ravaged in so little time.

He turned to Santi, who stood nearest.
"The guard," he said hoarsely, with a wave of the hand, and Santi went, none daring to utter a word.

They waited thus an odd group, all very grave save one, and he the one that had most cause for gravity.