Thus would he set himself right, and thus crush from their minds the memory of his rebellious cousin with whom he was about to deal.
His mother turned to him now, and her words were words of caution, prayers that he should adventure on naught so vast and appalling to her woman's mind, without due thought and argument in council.

A servant entered at that moment, and approached the Duke.
"Madonna," Gian Maria announced, breaking in upon her earnest words, "I am fully resolved upon my course.

If you will but delay a moment and resume your seat, you shall witness the first scene of this great drama that I am preparing." Then turning to the waiting servant: "Your message ?" he demanded.
"Captain Armstadt has returned, Highness, and has brought his Excellency." "Fetch lights and then admit them," he commanded briefly.

"To your places, sirs, and you, my mother.

I am about to sit in judgment." Amazed and uncomprehending, they obeyed his wild gestures, and resumed their places by the throne even as he walked back to the dais and sat himself upon the ducal chair.