human
There is always much to fear,
gpt
But not now--surely not now! She hath won the heart of the people--these fêtes were a triumph--they almost gladdened her. And now, poor child, she hath the little one to bring her comfort.
human
Aye, Madre mia; she hath perchance won the love of the simple folk; but it is a powerless love.
gpt
Aluisi!--thou art not like thyself to scorn it.
human
I may well be not like myself in so strange a land, he answered bitterly.
gpt
But I know not scorn; nor hopeless trust, neither.
human
A few cries of loyalty--a group of peasants kneeling--make a pretty showing--a tribute to bring her comfort--but it is the chaff before the wind, when danger cometh. And she hath never spoken of the many fiefs from which they came not--withheld by command of their jealous nobles. This peasantry hath no initiative--no aggressiveness. How wouldst thou that they should save her when danger cometh?
gpt
What danger, Aluisi?
human
The ever-present danger from without and within, he answered despondently.
gpt
One knoweth not from whence the first blow shall come.
human
If the peasants are powerless, she said,
gpt
Aye, Mother; they are our hope: I thank thee for thy word.
human
The burden is heavy for thee, she said, as he came and stood near her low couch.
gpt
It will ease thee to speak of it, if thou mayest not dismiss it. It is not this last attempt of Carlotta that troubles thee? _That_ hath been crushed?--without renewal?
human
One knoweth not, he answered, with an attempt at playfulness that showed no color of mirth.
gpt
These two hours have I been within. Cornaro was with me. Another _mahona_ may have chanced to land, coming from Africa with some other Valentine to do Carlotta's bidding and assert her claim to this uneasy crown of Cyprus; _this_ Valentine of Montolipho, poor youth, having no longer a brain to work her schemes.--But danger from within is less easy to quell.
human
What saith Andrea Cornaro? Doth he share thy fear?
gpt
We spoke together but now of his Grace, the Archbishop, who verily wore a face that boded no good to the child nor his mother--even as he held him in baptism that day--sealing him with the sign of the Holy Cross!--And to-day, in Council--verily Cyprus hath need of a new Council----
human
The Archbishop is not of the Council, Aluisi!
gpt
But his brother, the Count Carpasso, is more to fear, he cried wrathfully.
human
They are men of one mind and both creatures of that treacherous King of Naples. If Janus had had more wit, he would have left Gioan Peres Fabrici to this day, bargaining for his cargoes of grain, instead of naming him to the Council of the Realm and lavishing the honors of the kingdom upon this faithless favorite.
gpt
Faithless--my son? It is an evil word.
human
I pray that he be not found faithless, he said more quietly,
gpt
It is thou, perchance, who art overanxious, from the greatness of thine own loyalty, and the burden it hath brought thee.
human
Aye--am I!--Where there is cause for mistrust it maketh cowards of us, when faith were better. Thou knowest, gentle Mother, that this Valentine confessed, before his death, that he but heralded a larger craft sent from Rhodes, with knights and gentlemen and letters favoring _Carlotta_! And Gioan Peres Fabrici, Captain of our galley, sent with speed by prayer of us of Venice to bring them hither to confess themselves, _found them not_. He returned, _with speed_--and _found them not_. What thinkest thou, my Mother? Is it my judgment that is gone from too great anxiety?--Or may a valiant captain not see a brigantine armed upon the water?--a ship--a brig, scarce smaller than his own, perchance--that he should let them slip?
gpt
Why should he let them slip?--And Valentine may not have spoken truth.
human
One speaketh truth, or naught--with death so near. And for thy question--I know not why----
gpt
But yesterday, in Council--for Cornaro and I, we had discussed the matter of the royal residence together, thinking it suited not with the Queen's dignity to remain longer in the fortress--a most mournful palace for one so young and who hath need of some distraction about her to keep her from oversadness. But Rizzo, being Chief of Council, would hear naught of the Queen's return to the Palace. Fabrici also spoke against it.
human
It is strange:--but they gave no reason?
gpt
They gave a reason--one of their own making: that there was a matter of more moment before the Council; that the Queen's pleasure might wait.
human
Aluisi! What saidst thou?
gpt
Cornaro lost patience and answered roundly: that he, being by his late Majesty created Auditor of the realm, and by him greatly trusted--it behooved him as much to uphold the Queen's dignity as to have his word in the choice of the residence and aught else pertaining to the costs of the royal household. And that the Chamberlain of the Queen--I having upheld the demand made by him--was like to know what best might suit her Majesty.
human
And then?
gpt
How will Andrea accept this insolence?
human
There _is_ more--far more than that for anxiety, Aluisi said, dismissing her question with an impatient gesture.
gpt
I would that the Queen and the child were here--in their own palace--or that we were there. The question hath turned to one of larger import than the good pleasure of the Queen; or the wisdom of holding the Queen and the Prince Royal in a fortress, when the land is not at war--as if her own people might not be trusted with her life. But the argument did not touch the Council--not more than the whim of us--_of Venice_ --he spoke bitterly.
human
Before, it was expedient. _Now_----
gpt
Now?
human
There may be some scheme behind it, and I would we were there. She hath none of her own beside her, if trouble should come.
gpt
She hath Dama Margherita--who loveth her well.
human
Dama Margherita,