were perilous, and it behooved those whose duty it was to keep
the wheels of the machine sufficiently lubricated to run without
over-much creaking, to see that not only were all possible precautions
taken to secure the Queen's safety, but that everything that might
promote the loyalty of the uncertain Cyprian nobility should be
encouraged.

Some of the older Greek families lived like petty rulers within their
own estates, holding absolute sway over their vassals and enforcing
their allegiance at least to the point of not daring to act in
opposition to whatever political views their lords might choose to
adopt. Yet the fact that an old patrician was not in sympathy with the
Crown was by no means an assurance of loyalty to Carlotta; it might
simply mean that he was waiting to select one from among the many
banners that were eager to float over his happy island of Cyprus--or
that a more fervent hope possessed him of gathering to his own standard
the various malcontents and of wearing, with true Cyprian magnificence,
the royal honors that he craved;--as why should he not? since more than
one of those ancient Cyprian families claimed kinship by marriage with
the royal house of Lusignan.

Thus it had been decreed by the powers behind the throne that the seat
of government should be removed to Nikosia,--the most loyal of all the
cities of the realm, whose jealousy at her loss of prestige in being
supplanted in this dignity by the less important city of Famagosta
should be wisely taken into account; and great preparations were being
made for the royal progress about to take place, by which it was hoped
to stimulate an increased pride in the Government among the populace and
the citizens.

Great hopes were also entertained by the Admiral Mutio di Costanzo, the
Bernardini, Dama Margherita and Madama di Thenouris that the _High
Court_--an institution distinctively Cyprian, which had not been held
since the death of Janus, but of which a session had now been proclaimed
throughout the island--would assemble a throng of nobles with their
vassals and would prove a strong appeal to their loyalty.

The old Cyprian gentlewoman, Madama di Thenouris, under advice of the
Admiral and the Council, had held long frank talks with the Lady of the
Bernardini.

"We love our gentle Queen," she said with feeling; "and we do our
possible to uphold her. But she also--she must show herself among the
nobles--she must claim their loyalty. Hath she