e House of Lusignan--make thyself
charming to these great Cyprian nobles; help the Queen to see the need
of their conciliation, and stoop a little from thy loftiness to win it
for them. To two such women, the impossible is easy. I leave thee now."

"Is there no more?" she asked.

"Nay:--or it is a trifle. If they have found the court a little
over-dull, of late, blame them not over-much: the need for gayety and
splendor is in their blood--more than in ours of Sicily--more even than
in that of Venice--which hath greater gravity. I have spoken with Madama
di Thenouris and the Lady of the Bernardini; but Madama di Thenouris
hath better understanding of the Cyprian temper, its need of
excitement--half barbaric--its impatience with a tone of gloom; the
tourneys, the tennis, the hunt, all that bringeth life--let the court be
charming again with jewels and color. Too great gravity is not wise."

"Yet to-day, your Excellency, if there were no lack of brilliancy--how
many were not there to see!"

"It is the beginning only," he said; "let it not be the end. Great
issues have been changed by such trifles."

"Must there be no more than trifles?" she asked, detaining him,
dissatisfied.

He looked at her, uncertain whether it were wise to speak further.

"Tell no one that they are trifles: but listen," he said. "It will take
_strength_, and _patience_, and _wisdom_ and _cunning_ and _grace_ to
rule this people. Shall we ask all this of any woman?" He dwelt upon the
words with weighty enunciation.

"Or of any _man_?" she answered, half-mocking at the demand. "And if he
were really a man, and not a god--and if one might choose one's
King----"

He shook his head slowly in response. "Our paragon might not be found in
the House of Lusignan, perchance. But surely he would not be a Louis of
Savoy--nor a Ferdinand of Naples--no more than a Carlotta. _Nor any
Cyprian noble who hath eyes upon the Crown._"

"Not this, also!" she cried, startled; "_not this!_"

"So rumor hath it; but none is strong enough. It frets me not. I have
but told thee since thou art on guard."

"Is there a remedy?" she asked despondent.

"It is not hopeless. The Ministers must rule the land. We must choose
our men and bide our time. Our Queen, by her grace, shall win the
people's hearts: and all may be well."

"And the little Prince--under her training?--For she will teach him love
and justice. She hath vowed him to the service of his land."

"Aye, he