troubled eyes and heightened color to
receive her--scarcely condescending to notice the Cornaro's homage or
his gay, parting words--"your fair Queen hath done this night an act
that shall send her name down through coming ages, wreathed with glory."

For words came easily to him, and he had been too well content with his
own triumph and escape to weigh the effect of its cost upon Caterina.
But now, after the mockery of his conventional salutation--which none
knew better than he to make an expression of profound deference--as he
turned his bright gaze upon her, the strained pallor of her face with
its deep lines of suffering smote upon him, and he addressed Dama
Margherita again with some assumption of concern for his sister's
welfare.

"I fear she is overwearied; but the long discussion upon business of the
Senate hath been needful. Yet now there is only rest before her, and I
may leave her, in confidence, in your gracious care."

But the Lady Margherita had turned impatiently from him to busy herself
with the Queen before he had finished his speech; then she flashed him a
glance which he found it hard to meet.

"We who love her need not your counsel, my Lord, to strive to undo your
'doing of this night. These are the apartments of Her Majesty. We need
to be alone."

XXXVII

Was Venice insatiable in requirement?

"It is enough," Caterina pleaded impotently. "Venice cannot ask more!"

"Nay, it is little," the Cornaro answered, "and only that which shall
bring thee further honor. The Provveditori will charge themselves with
the details of the Royal progress--as the Signoria hath directed."

"Let me but sign the parchment, as it may please them," she urged, "for
the last time with the Royal Seal of Cyprus--but spare me more! I would
fain withdraw into the Holy House of St. Francis and be at rest."

But this might by no means be permitted; and the Ambassador of the
Republic was ready with his threadbare argument of ingratitude, with
much other reasoning of which he was scarcely less proud.

"One giveth not a regal gift with the downcast air of compulsion--else
were it base in him who receiveth. Bethink thee ever of thine honor and
of that of Venice," he admonished his sister many times during the weeks
of preparation that followed upon the Queen's decision; whatever the
detail under consideration--and few escaped his vigilance--he was
inflexible, and her opposition could not go beyond his announcement: