r in preparing the permanent tomb, had been told of
the priceless sarcophagus of oriental jasper--the gift in early ages of
the Emperor of the East to Santa Soffia in Nikosia, and she had sent an
envoy to the brothers of the convent to ask that it be surrendered for
the tomb of Janus, their king, promising whatever compensation they
should ask.

"Ah, but it will be magnificent, that tomb under the dome of our own San
Nicolo! It will stand on the precious mosaic pavement from Alexandria,
on columns of ivory chased with gold. Dama Margherita hath seen the
design which hath been made for her Majesty by the curator of our
library of art."

"I also," said the little Contarini, timidly, for she was proud of the
favor of the Queen whom she devotedly loved: "It was most beautiful; and
the Serenissima la Regina held it long, as if she could not put it
away."

But a hand was raised to hush the topic:

"Speak no more thereof; for word hath come but now that the request of
her Majesty hath been denied."

There was a chorus of indignant protest:

"It could not be, when she so grieveth! They have no hearts--those
_frati_ of Santa Soffia!"

"The Queen will not endure this refusal without reason!"

"There was no reason that should be told," their informer whispered low
to one of them. "For love of the Queen, hush the topic."

But an elderly member of the Queen's Council who had been passing
through the great Hall and had paused near them, taking no part in the
conversation, now came forward, after a moment's hesitation.

"_I_ speak that you may forget it," he said: "for it seemeth to be a
pleasing theme of discussion among you--yet should be so no more--a mere
extravaganza of fancy that our girl-queen might wisely abandon."

"Signore!" exclaimed the Lady of the Bernardini, rising indignantly, "I
maintain the dignity of our Sovereign Lady's Court, while she perforce,
from sore affliction, must be absent. All speech must be as in her
presence."

The Councillor, resenting the reproof, gave a slight cold bow, studying
her curiously, and pondering whether he dared go further.

"The matter is of interest," he pursued, after a moment's pause, "for
they _gave_ their reason, these monks of Santa Soffia, and scrupled
not--being willing to keep their treasure."

"Signore Consigliere----!" Dama Margherita exclaimed beseechingly.

But if the monks of Santa Soffia had a reason for their conduct, he also
had for his, and would not