human
What mean these absences?
gpt
Venice is feared, not loved,
human
Pardon, your Excellency, she said,
gpt
And the Queen--a very lovely young woman--is a mere figurehead--a pawn to be moved at the discretion of the higher powers.
human
Then, my Lord, it should be seen to that she hath a Council competent to advise, the Lady Margherita retorted with ready indignation,
gpt
Dear Dama Margherita, he said,
human
It is because of Janus, who hath been heedless and unfair? she asked reflecting.
gpt
For verily the people love the Queen.
human
Let us not deceive ourselves out of our very loyalty. The citizens and the nearer peasants hold her in love and reverence: but those of the larger _casals_ and fiefs--the ancient nobles, have the power; and few of these are in her court. I would it were otherwise.
gpt
It is something, your Excellency, to have won the love of the simpler folk as no Queen of this land hath ever done before,
human
It is something, but not all, he answered;
gpt
he repeated with emphasis.
human
One may win from sympathy--but one must rule a kingdom by power. And the Queen--God help her!--is a charming child.
gpt
My Lord!
human
A charming child--with a heart developed and matured like a saint; but with a mind untrained to intrigue, unsuspicious of jealousies, unconscious of any injustice wrought by her husband, not apt to comprehend, perhaps, any grievance of the nobles----
gpt
May we not help her? Dama Margherita interrupted eagerly.
human
She would give back the fiefs if she knew that they had been misplaced--that any right had been violated. And now--after these confiscations----
gpt
Aye, there are more lands to satisfy their demands, it is true. But in their pride they might refuse--let her not wonder at it, nor cease from her courtesies. The nobles are rather sullen than overt in their discontent. They do not want Venetian galleys in their waters--though they must welcome them--nor to do homage to a Venetian for the gift of their own lands. And the restoration is less simple than was the confiscation. For temporary lords have been created and these remain to be reckoned with--even if the will were there.
human
I am sure, your Excellency, that the will would not be lacking if this matter were understood; for Her Majesty is fair and generous, and eager to do all her duty by her people. It is of them, and never of herself, that her heart is full.