be stayed.

"They gave their reason; that the precious gift should not be desecrated
to _hold relics that were subject to excommunication_," he said with
painful distinctness, and would not linger for any explanation.

"It is shameful--such a reason so calmly told by a member of our Queen's
Council! He should unsay the words!" one of the maids of honor cried
hotly. "There could be no color for it: the Signor Fabrici hath proven
that he loveth not the Regina!"

"It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which
had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may
the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."

"Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we
have listened--it is not with our hearts!"

"Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word
goeth not beyond."

But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it
could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the
Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of
evil omen.

"The word is a slander," she said. "But it is known that the Holy Father
hath had small friendship for King Janus since he declined alliance with
the niece of His Holiness, who was not one to please our young King's
delicate fancy, though His Holiness strove to have his will--first by
promises and then by threats."

They pressed closely about her, with exclamations of interest and
astonishment, for this gray-haired noble woman, Madama de Thenouris, had
not been one of those to retail gossip and they might not question her
strange tale; they knew that she had some serious purpose in this
unwonted freedom of speech.

"This was known by some of us in Cyprus before the marriage of our
King--yet was kept hushed, lest trouble should grow from mention of the
displeasure of the Holy Father; but no threat of excommunication hath
reached this court. My children, I am trusting you with confidences--for
it is a time of trouble for our most gracious Lady and we of her court
must know truth from slander that we may stand for her."

Each one came and laid her hand, in silent pledge, in that of the
gray-haired speaker.

"Later, not long since," she continued, "there came from Rome a
tale--maliciously whispered about by Fabrici--not to be believed--that
by some act of renunciation of the Christian Faith, Janus won the favor
of the Sultan w