r Majesty!"

"How came ye so many here?" she asked in astonishment, as they still
gathered from the farther courts--a number far greater than the usual
Palace-guard--chiefly a company of knights and men entitled to bear
arms, but among them many of the more peaceful citizens.

"Whom serve ye all?" She looked keenly from face to face: her words
seemed a challenge.

"Caterina Regina!" they cried in concert, with every man's right hand
upraised, calling Heaven to witness.

One, with signs of authority stepped forward to explain.

"Eccellenza, we are in command of the Lord Chamberlain Bernardini, who,
since he fought his way through the false guard placed before this
palace to serve the treachery of the Council, hath not ceased to gather
men of metal throughout the city, till enough shall come to claim the
Queen's release. For the cries of the women and unarmed weaklings
clamoring under the walls of the fortress for her release, are but
impotent wails to tickle the pride of those fiends of Naples."

"Bring me to the Bernardini, for I must speak with him on matter, it may
be, of life, or death."

"Eccellentissima, the Lord Chamberlain hath not stayed his foot since
this horror began--nor may we see his face until he hath done the
possible to gather strength for an uprising to chase these devils of
Naples."

"Dear men!" she cried, "it is a task!--I speak, not to stay your loyal
hands, but to open your eyes that ye be prepared and fail not. The
Commander of Famagosta hath men and arms behind those impregnable walls,
and all the wicked strength of his cunning Council to direct
them,--Rizzo and Fabrici--masters in intrigue--and the men of the
galleys of Naples at the tower in the port, commanding land and sea.
Without more force it is impossible!"

"Dear Lady, the Bernardini lacketh no courage, and he commandeth. He
hath sworn that we shall save the Queen. The Admiral will come from
Nikosia; and the galleys of Venice will haste to the rescue, _Pazienza!_
We are bidden to keep the peace and secrecy until the moment shall be
ripe; but to die in defense of this palace, which we hold for Her
Majesty as a place of refuge."

"Dost bring us news of her. How fares it with Her Majesty?"

"For that I came!" cried Dama Margherita, her voice ringing through the
hall like a leader's call to arms; "to bring news of her to her own! How
should it fare with a Queen made captive in her own stronghold?--With a
mother whose child hath