human
What shall I give thee, beloved Cousin? the Queen had asked him.
gpt
Wilt thou be a noble of Cyprus?
human
Dear Lady, he answered,
gpt
I want but thy favor. Doth it not suffice me that I am a noble of Venice?
human
Nay--but to prove how thou art in my grace--with rich fiefs and holdings in this land for which thou hast spent thy service right royally.
gpt
He doth not spend 'right royally' who seeketh reward,
human
Other than I have done, what true knight would do? he protested.
gpt
There could be no question of reward between us--thou being royal Lady of our Casa Cornaro, and I sworn to thy faithful service--my cousin and Queen. But, if thou wilt grant thy favor----
human
Nay, Aluisi, how may I grant what thou already hast?
gpt
I thank thee, fair Cousin. See how I trust thy favor to bring thee warning--being so much thine elder--dealing so much more with men than thou--being now of thy Council of the Realm----
human
Doth it need so many words from thee to me to excuse a counsel?--from _thee_, who gavest me back my child!
gpt
I should have envied any, he said,
human
Was it for this fervent vow of loyalty that thou didst crave my grace?
gpt
Thou knowest that I would fain help thee: thy people would verily spend themselves for thee--thou hast won their hearts. But, among the ancient nobles--it were wise to tell thee frankly--there is some discontent.
human
Is it new matter?
gpt
It hath been spoken of before, but since--since the treachery of the Council and--other things--and the most unbounded confidence by the Signoria reposed in me to uphold the Queen--I have sought more nearly to sift the causes of this disaffection. They seem to me to be not beyond conciliation.
human
she echoed,
gpt
It is sad, beloved Lady: but nothing is hopeless that is not finished. Is it not better to see wisely than to ignore?--Let us be brave.
human
Teach me, she said.
gpt
What wouldst thou?--Thou shalt verily be made one of the Counts of the Chamber, that I may know _one_ loyal among my Cyprian nobles.
human
Nay, nay --he made an effort to assume a lighter tone--
gpt
Shall I stoop to _buy_ the people of my kingdom? she asked, a little bitterly.
human
Is this thy honorable counsel?
gpt
My Cousin, he said,
human
Forgive me, Aluisi; I listen.
gpt
Out of thy generous heart, thou wouldst have covered me--who am a Venetian--with Cyprian honors. I thank thee. But I will translate thee to thyself. Was it 'to buy my loyalty?'
human
Nay, nay--but of appreciation--to show thee grace. Thou knowest it, Aluisi!
gpt
I know it well, he answered heartily.
human
Show but this thy grace to thy Cyprian nobles and win them to thy court. They should come _first_ in favor of their Queen.
gpt
Have I been found lacking? she asked, slowly;
human
Reward that little openly, and there shall be more. Bethink thee: there hath been great honor shown the Mocenigo.
gpt
It was so ordered by the Republic,
human
Was it for this, perchance, that the Cyprian nobles came less heartily? he pursued.
gpt
Is there no honor that might yet be granted to that most noble knight, the Admiral Costanzo?
human
Whatever favor he would have is already his:--he was the friend of Janus and my own,
gpt
Janus hath written of him, '_Nostro caro, fedel a ben amato Sieur Mutio di Costanzo_' (our dear, faithful and well-beloved seigneur) thou mayest read it in our '_Libro delle Rimembranze_.' Could I do aught to add thereto?