There was originally quite a bit to the interrogation of the Count in the later chapters, while Cesco and Pietro are sitting in the cave. Most of it had to do with verbal sparring between Vinciguerra and Katerina. This is one of those exchanges:
“What about the oracle?”
Vinciguerra’s face grew stony. “I had nothing to do with that.”
“But, again, you know who did.” The Count said nothing. “I grow weary of carrying the conversation, Count. You must hold up your end if we are to find any ground in common.”
“I see no need to find a common ground. When one possesses the high ground, moral or otherwise, one need not descend.”
There was a long pause while Katerina stared into the middle distance. Finally she said, “Have you heard the ancillary effect the oracle had? My nephew, Mastino, is convinced he’s the one the oracle referred to. He preens and tells everyone he is a mythic figure.”
“From what I’ve heard of the boy, he’s his father’s son,” said Vinciguerra. “Only if he were the direct descendant of his namesake would he have a prayer.”
Katerina had nothing to say to that, so she applied herself to the dressing of the Count’s wound, already bleeding through despite all precautions. When she was finished, she raised her eyes to look about the room. With a nod, the servants withdrew, leaving them alone. The rest of the wounded nobility of both sides were being treated in a larger hall, but she had had the Count brought to her own chambers.
“You will not tell me the name of the man who has been assisting you?”
The Count’s smile creased slightly.
“Ah,” sighed Katerina. “Thank you. An answer at last.”
