CHAPTER XVIWhen La Cerda had gone, the Grand Master said: “He goes with bitter heart, thinking that he is sent to a sure death, and that, when I do that, I abuse my power. Yet I suppose that we shall all go by the same road before the winter is here. . . . Garcio has sent his reply!”
“The Bay of Naples is in?”
“Yes. Salvago brings fair words, and this scroll.” He looked round as he spoke to see who might be there to overhear what was said, but Angelica had withdrawn, thinking that his words would not be directed to her, and not wishing to be recalled to his mind with consequences which were not easy to guess.
Sir Oliver took the scroll and read, after a preamble of compliment which was in the custom of the time, and meant nothing at all, though its absence would have meant much:
“You c
