ain of the scoundrel Rizzo, both
faring forth for other treacheries, thinking us safe enough to leave,
with those spies of Naples on guard." His sputtering curses choked
further speech.

"It shall be _now_," said Mutio di Costanzo: "conduct us to the Signor
Bernardini"--yet wondering at the silence of the streets as he passed.

"Your Excellency," said the guard once more, in answer to his question,
"it is the order of the Bernardini who hath commanded quiet and hath
promised, on his life, to restore the Queen to her people."

The hasty conference in the Palazzo Reale, developed the fact that the
citizens of Famagosta, too furious for any considerations of expediency,
had been with difficulty restrained from storming the Citadel and
demanding the Queen's instant release: and now that any trained force,
however small, was upon their side, the critical moment had come. Men,
women and children flocked into the deserted streets and eagerly
followed the cavalcade of Knights to the Piazza San Nicolo, where the
crowd was increasing every moment; and when Bernardini and Mutio di
Costanzo appeared among them, they were greeted with cheers and vivas.

"Regina!"

"Madonna Nostra Reale!"

"Regina!"

"_Subito! Subito!_"

The cries startled the silence of the streets, and further restraint was
impossible.

* * * * *

"_Regina! Madonna Nostra Reale! Subito!_"

The city rang with their shouts--the voice of a multitude magnificent in
righteous emotion--from the gruff tones of the men of the populace
hoarse with anger, to the strident cries and sobs of the women and the
high treble of little children; and clear and calm throughout the
chorus, the clarion-notes of command.

The mighty sound penetrated to the depths of the Citadel, waking the
Cyprian force from its stupor of despondency, rousing the dormant
manhood within them.

It reached the chamber of the captive Queen, who had known no thrill of
hope since that night of horror.

"My God! my God!" she cried, with streaming eyes. "I thank
thee!--_Madonna mia Sanctissima!_ My people are calling for me!"

* * * * *

"In the name of Her Majesty!"

"Surrender command to the Admiral of Cyprus!"

To no mighty force could those strong bars have been more swiftly
withdrawn; nor was there need of contest to displace the trembling
guards of Naples, as the men of Cyprus within the fort hastened to obey
the mandate