He had cultivated the habit of offering to face danger, speaking of it in a quiet way, as he had observed that brave men did.

He had found it good policy to tell people that he was not afraid of them, and his bearing had hitherto saved him from physical violence.

Now he felt as though all his nerves had been drawn out of his body.

He had been terrified, and he knew that he had shown it.

Gianbattista's words stung in his ears like the sting of wasps.
"You shall never enter this room again," he hissed out between his teeth.