had made this attitude possible for her,--who
was all truth.

"His Excellency the Admiral is verily the champion of Cyprus," the
Bernardini resumed after a little silence; "and methinks he would hold
dear the royal order to re-man the galleys which have been disbanded--as
it is now thought, by advice of the traitor Rizzo, or of some other
Councillor _in favor of Ferdinand of Naples_. I would fain bring this
matter for consideration before the Council, if it hath your Majesty's
favor."

"It is well," she said, in a tone of perplexity, "if it seemeth so to
the Council of the Realm. But our counsellors of Venice who brought us
aid, spoke not of this."

She lifted her liquid dark eyes to his face, as she spoke--a girl of
nineteen, bewildered with the intricate jealousies and strifes of her
island kingdom--no wonder that she felt her hands weak to hold the
sceptre so disputed!

"It may be that _Venice_ hath not so closely at heart the interests of
Cyprus as the Queen herself might hold them," he answered slowly and
watching her as he spoke. "We must win the Cyprian nobles to our
councils and consult their needs and bring them before the people as in
the grace of your Majesty. _Let us not always think the thoughts of
Venice._" She started and flushed slightly at his last words, but how
could he help her else?--"We must do this to bind the hearts of the
nobles to our Prince," he added, to give her courage.

"Let us not always think the thoughts of Venice!" The meaning was new to
her, and for a few moments she struggled with it silently; then she
lifted her eyes to his face and searched it artlessly, as a child might
have done, to see if she had fully comprehended his strange speech--most
strange from her Venetian Councillor.

But he met her gaze as frankly, having nothing to add to the simple
statement wherewith he had sought to arouse this new consciousness
within her, and which he wished her to ponder.

"Thou art more Cyprian, my cousin, than any member of the Council hath
ever shown himself," she said at length, "and it heartens me--for thou
art right. But now--just now--what may be done?" She spoke eagerly, as
if from a new standpoint.

"There is Stefano Caduna, a man of the people--most worthy of your
Majesty's grace. And there is Pietro Davilla, Seigneur and Knight, who
hath proven his loyalty--how if he were to be named Grand Constable of
Cyprus? Shall these be spoken of to the Council which will meet
to-morr