human
I have done everything, he continued in a low voice, without looking at her,
gpt
They would be quite willing to pass the measure _without_ her signature, he added, in a still lower tone.
human
It has come to that--we must think of her rights and protect her _against her Councillors_!
gpt
She has had so much to bear, poor child--so young--and her heart is broken already with sorrow for her husband. For she had faith in him. And now!--Have they no feeling for her?
human
Madre, carissima, thou knowest not Rizzo; he is the most powerful among them, and the most ill-disposed. 'Let her take the Prince of Naples,' he hath said openly before the Councillors, 'and give us a man to reign over us.'
gpt
And Janus but two weeks dead! The Lady Beata gave an involuntary cry of horror.
human
But Fabrici, the Archbishop? she asked after a moment,
gpt
Nay, Mother--I know not which is worse. Venice, at his election, would have prevented it, but could not, because he represented this intriguing power of Naples which hath not ceased from effort to have its will of Cyprus, since the betrothal of Caterina--which also it sought to overthrow.
human
How knowest thou?
gpt
If we were yet in Venice, I might not answer thee; but here--and it is for me and thee alone--it was I upon whom the Signoria laid the task of drawing up their monitory letter to Janus to hold him to his contract.
human
Oh, if thou hadst not done it! I would rather thou hadst not written it!
gpt
Aye--Mother: and I--even then I knew that it must be happier for the child if that contract might be broken. Though if I had dreamed of _this_ I could not have doomed one of our Casa Cornaro to such suffering and dishonor. But thou knowest the pride of Venice: if not _my_ hand, another's would have written it: and I then--we should not have been here to shield her.
human
But the Archbishop Fabrici cannot hold malice against Caterina. He hath all the church of Cyprus in his command; he _must_ be friendly to the Queen.
gpt
Fabrici, for another cause, holdeth the queen in deep disfavor, he said,
human
It was well, Aluisi: it seemeth even now too soon--too cruel--to add this shadow to her grief: and but for thee, she must have known thereof that day. For she seeketh already to take up the burden of the State and questioneth daily of the Secretary of the King of that which passeth in the Council. 'That I may rule my people,' she sayeth sadly, 'and those who loved the King will help me!' With what a tender grace she sayeth '_my people_!'
gpt
Madre mia, thou who lovest her and art so wise--shall I leave this parchment with thee? Thou best canst spare her in what must be told. I have had made this copy of certain clauses of the Will of Janus, which may not longer wait official reading before the Council in the Chamber of the Counts and in presence of the Queen. Thinkest thou not it would be too hard for her to learn first of its provisions before them all?
human
Thou art right, Aluisi--always right. But her faith in him is deep; how shall I make her believe it?
gpt
I know not, he answered with a groan, and crushing the parchment in his hand. Then he smoothed it out remorsefully and gave it to her.
human
It is a faithful copy; there is no other argument. Thou wilt go to her now--for it _must_ be.
gpt
I am here, he said,
human
It may be long, for I know not how to tell her.
gpt
Thank Heaven that she hath one like thee to care for her, he answered, gently forcing her through the doorway as he held her hand.
human
For I do think the Council would willingly have her away.