Indeed, whichever tale were true, there was no doubt that the two men had disliked each other for a long time, and that they were both looking out for the opportunity of an open disagreement.
Old Saracinesca appeared in the afternoon, and was surrounded by eager questioners of all sorts.

The fact of his having served his own son in the capacity of second excited general astonishment.

Such a thing had not been heard of in the annals of Roman society, and many ancient wisdom-mongers severely censured the course he had pursued.

Could anything be more abominably unnatural?
Was it possible to conceive of the hard-heartedness of a man who could stand quietly and see his son risk his life?
Disgraceful! The old Prince either would not tell what he knew, or had no information to give.

The latter theory was improbable.