Chapter 40

"The Empire," he muttered to himself. "The Empire and the French--I will awe them and humor them while I must--but let me once gain Carrara--as I shall--I can dispense with them and deal with Della Scala as I list." He turned from the window to Giannotto, and his face had lost its lines. "Well?" he asked. "What think you?" "This is a master-stroke of temptation, my lord. You have always found craft a good servant." "It would not serve me well in thee," said Visconti with a sudden glance. "Now, see to it that parchm…