FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152  
153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   >>   >|  
e city-gates. The Vice-Roy himself had come to the balcony above the portal and stood watching the messengers anxiously, as if he would speed them beyond their possible. Then he turned to the crowd of eager, upturned faces, now quieted once more, by an imperative motion from Stefano. Mutio di Costanzo, Admiral of Cyprus and Vice-Roy of Nikosia, Lord of the city and fortress of Costanza, one of a long line of knights, was a gentleman of honor devoted to the Crown and a loyal friend to the Queen: he held the confidence of the people and deserved it well. An inarticulate murmur of devotion stirred the crowd as he stood for a moment quite silent before them, too overcome by emotion to trust himself to speech. When he spoke, his voice was calm, far-reaching and authoritative. "Citizens of Nikosia," he said, "I bring you black news of perfidy to our Queen and infant King." He was interrupted by deafening cries of anger and alarm; but Stefano commanded silence. "I know," the Admiral continued, his noble face a shade less stern, "that every heart and arm in Nikosia is hot for her defense." And now Stefano let the passion of loyalty have sway. But the Admiral had more to say. "The gates of the city will be instantly closed and closely guarded; no man will be allowed to enter who doth not declare for the Queen--_who is captive_ in the _Fortress of Famagosta_." The shock of the news held them dumb while they listened. "The Council of Nikosia will sit at once to discuss measures for her release; the forces of Nikosia and of the citadel will immediately report, fully armed. The traitors are _Rizzo di Marin and others of the Council of the Realm who have insolently proclaimed Alfonso of Naples as Prince of Galilee and Heir to the Crown of Cyprus_." But now their voices came back to them, sputtering, uncontrolled; a babel of sounds arose, cries of loyalty--of fear--of indignation and wrath and fervor of affection--of hatred for the Council. Questionings, denunciations, curses that made one's hair stand on end-- Only for a moment. Then the voice of the Admiral was heard again, stilling the chaos as by magic. "Every man to his post. Let order prevail, for love of our Queen! We have stern work before us." And below, among the people, Stefano Caduna boiling with suppressed anger, which deepened his voice to an ominous calm--as of the lull before an earthquake--saw that the orders of the Vice-Roy were instantl
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152  
153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
Nikosia
 

Admiral

 

Stefano

 

Council

 

moment

 
Cyprus
 
people
 

loyalty

 
traitors
 

proclaimed


Naples

 

Prince

 
Galilee
 

Alfonso

 
insolently
 

listened

 
Famagosta
 
Fortress
 

declare

 

captive


citadel

 

immediately

 

report

 

forces

 

release

 

discuss

 

measures

 

denunciations

 

prevail

 

Caduna


boiling

 
earthquake
 

orders

 

instantl

 

ominous

 
suppressed
 

deepened

 
stilling
 

indignation

 
fervor

affection
 

sounds

 
sputtering
 
uncontrolled
 

hatred

 

Questionings

 
curses
 

voices

 
gentleman
 

devoted