was waiting for her across the shimmering, beckoning sea. What wonder
that her maiden heart should cling to him with a passionate trust, while
all her sweet self grew in shy loveliness out of the dream that she was
fashioning, and the deepening currents of her being flowed purely about
this vision of her betrothed, enthroning her love with her religion in
one centre.

The mimic court in the Palazzo Cornaro, under the supervision of her
monitors of Venice, was already attracting distinguished strangers--for
the element of romance in her position made the salon of the future
Queen of Cyprus the feature of Venetian social life; and long hours of
eager study with masters of the many tongues spoken in the Cyprian
court--alternating with the teachings of her mother's noble friend, the
Patriarch, as he sought to familiarize her with the early Christian
story of her distant island, proved the quick grasp of her mind--giving
dangerous hints of strength which, if disregarded, might thwart the
moulding purpose of the Signoria. So it seemed wise to forestall her
questionings with such historic glimpses as should fascinate her with
her realm to be, while Venice was silently smoothing out the crumples of
that distant Cyprian shore; and it was fitting that the bride of Janus
should make acquaintance with the literary and legendary treasures of
this fabled isle of poets, for the house of Lusignan had been known for
its taste in literature. But of a certain proverb current in Cyprus in
the days of the Lusignans, the watchful Senate took care that she should
be left in ignorance, _Ce n'est pas Minerve qui est nee en Chypre_! and
that Chief of the Ten whose difficult duty it had become to supervise
the education of Caterina was giving peremptory instruction to the
newly-created Historical Secretary to the Queen-elect:

"Begin with thy narration far back in the days of the Greek myths--she
hath much poetry in her soul. Take her carefully over the early
Christian traditions--she doth most seriously incline to venerate the
Church:--there is food in these matters to consume much time."

"And then, Eccellentissimo, one may venture to tell the story of the
House of Lusignan?"

The research of the learned Secretary had brought him in contact with
Cyprus, but it had not inclined him to make fancy pictures of its kings.

"Of Guy--the founder--and of the Crusades; it is a tale a maid may
hear," the Capo responded grimly. "Of gleanings, now and