royal Lady
of our Casa Cornaro, and I sworn to thy faithful service--my cousin and
Queen. But, if thou wilt grant thy favor----"

He had grown suddenly grave.

"Nay, Aluisi, how may I grant what thou already hast?"

"I thank thee, fair Cousin. See how I trust thy favor to bring thee
warning--being so much thine elder--dealing so much more with men than
thou--being now of thy Council of the Realm----"

"Doth it need so many words from thee to me to excuse a counsel?--from
_thee_, who gavest me back my child!"

She held out both hands to him impulsively, as a daughter to a father,
her beautiful face radiant with gratitude and affection.

He closed the fair hands for a moment in his own, very tenderly. "I
should have envied any," he said, "whose fortune it had been to do this
thing for thee. My star hath favored me. Heaven keep our little Prince
to bless his realm of Cyprus!"

After a moment's silence, Caterina spoke playfully, to recall him to his
theme. "Was it for this fervent vow of loyalty that thou didst crave my
grace?"

His face deepened to a seriousness that was almost compassionate.

"Thou knowest that I would fain help thee: thy people would verily spend
themselves for thee--thou hast won their hearts. But, among the ancient
nobles--it were wise to tell thee frankly--there is some discontent."

"Is it new matter?" she asked, frowning a little. She had motioned him
to a seat, for she saw that he had much to say.

"It hath been spoken of before, but since--since the treachery of the
Council and--other things--and the most unbounded confidence by the
Signoria reposed in me to uphold the Queen--I have sought more nearly to
sift the causes of this disaffection. They seem to me to be not beyond
conciliation."

"'_Not beyond conciliation_,'" she echoed, "it _seems_ to thee! It is a
sad word to bring me of my people, Aluisi, since I would give my life
for them." Her eyes had filled with tears.

"It is sad, beloved Lady: but nothing is hopeless that is not finished.
Is it not better to see wisely than to ignore?--Let us be brave."

She folded her hands very tightly for a moment, as if struggling with
herself; then she lifted her eyes to his.

"Teach me," she said. "What wouldst thou?--Thou shalt verily be made one
of the Counts of the Chamber, that I may know _one_ loyal among my
Cyprian nobles."

"Nay, nay"--he made an effort to assume a lighter tone--"there is no
need; else would it be wise to sail