at this season,
in Cyprus rain was most unwonted, surely a sign of Heaven's displeasure!
Still they waited in the darkness of the night, with shivering hearts,
with the wind growling like angry fiends out beyond the harbor and down
from the environing hills--upheld to this costly tribute of devotion by
the dumb, dog-like loyalty which their beautiful young Queen had roused
within them, by a smile on her wedding-day and the sorrow that had
quenched it.

"It is good, _va_, to see the light in the Duomo! There is many a good
candle burning for her at the shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, this night."

"An' there were none for ourselves, we should find one for her!"

"Not a woman of our _casal_ but held a candle in her hand as we came in
at the gate of the city; for the silkworms have given us silk and enough
to spin this year; and if they had not, we would not grudge it to her.
For she hath a smile like an angel. May our Holy Mother bless her for
them both."

"And beautiful--beautiful so that it warms the heart! Dost thou remember
the day when she came out of the Duomo, beautiful as the Madonna
herself--may our Blessed Lady in Heaven forgive me!--with a necklace and
a crown flashing fire, that our Holy Mother of Jesus might wear on the
Feast of the Annunciation?--and the smile on her face?--and the King
beside her----? Ah, but it was a wedding--Holy Saints!--and they ought
to be happy--the great ones!"

"Hush then!--But surely 'tis a sin that they left the mourning upon the
banner to-night, one should have more respect! If I could get into the
Duomo for a drop of Holy water--Sancta Maria!"

But the crowd had swelled to hopeless density, and both women threw out
their hands with the magical gesture that never failed to exorcise the
evil spirits brought near by such an omen. Then they touched each other
reassuringly, and crossed themselves and were silent again.

For a beautiful Greek, not of their own class, stepped out from her
group of attendants, and knelt on the pavement, stretching out her hands
towards the dark palace with a prayer--they could hear her
murmuring,--"For _her_ sake--for the sake of the innocent one who hath
been wronged--Holy Mother of Angels, grant us one of her blood to rule
this land!"

Her heavy veil of mourning fell aside as she hastily rose and joined her
attendants, disappearing in the crowd.

"Madama da Patras! Could it be Madama da Patras, mother to the King,
kneeling on the pavement in