The Royal Pawn of Venice

  XI

  A Little page who had been leaning on the marble parapet beyond theterrace, came stealthily and beckoned to a comrade on the steps of theloggia.

  "A troop of horse were coming across the plain," he explained in low,agitated tones, as the other reached his side, and followed him back tothe post where he had been watching. "I saw them all the time DamaMargherita was reciting--Holy Mother, but it was long!--I thought theKing was coming, and it was I that should carry the news to herMajesty--I came near crying out! But I could not see his orange plume,and I waited. They came slowly--_Santissima Vergine!_ _He was notthere!_"

  He clutched his comrade's doublet with a trembling hand and turned anashen face towards him.

  "What ailest thee, Tristan?--thou who art already a damoiseau and shaltbe a true knight? Thou art verily dreaming--I see nothing."

  "They are gone within--in the first great court of the palace--those whocame. They were the King's gentlemen--_all_ the King's gentlemen--MesserAndrea among them. I thought the champing would have roused the Queenwho hath been watching all the day. I am not afraid----" he gasped; "butit was so horrible!--Thou knowest, Guido, Messer Andrea never leaveththe King."

  The boy's eyes were dark with fear.

  "He will come with the others--he will surely, surely come," Guidoasseverated.

  They clasped each other close and pressed their fresh cheeks together,trembling so that they could scarcely speak, yet struggling to be brave,as became little pages that should be knights.

  "They were so long," poor Tristan said in a choking whisper, "and it wasso still--_so still_--no music, and they returning from the chase!And--when they came nearer, I thought I saw his horse, but I could notsee a rider--and I thought, I thought--perhaps because it _was_dark--and I ran down the front of the palace to get nearer when theycrossed the bridge. Ah, but the tramp was dreadful! And--and--it was hishorse, and a squire leading him--and--behind them--oh Guido!--_Then Iknew_."

  "We will be knights, Tristan mio," Guido whispered, wiping away hiscomrade's tears while his own were falling; and then, straining eachother convulsively, they broke down in sobs together.

  * * * * *

  Dama Ecciva stole up the steps from the terrace, and catching Eloisa'shand, dragged her forcibly away.

  "Come quickly," she whispered, with chattering teeth, "_Santa MariaVergine!_ I am so frightened. Oh, the poor, poor Queen! That was why shehath been so strange--she hath truly seen the vision. Poverina, itbreaks one's heart! And he but a week away! So gay and debonair, andbeautiful as a god!"

  There was no mistaking her wild eyes.

  "Tell me!" Eloisa gasped.

  "I was there in the pergola, and I saw them come--the _frati_ from theTroodos in the midst of the troop of horse--with--with IT.--OhEloisa, _it was true!_--They are telling her now."

  * * * * *

  There was a stir in the great audience-chamber back of the loggia whereCaterina sat--a sound of hesitant feet, as of many who came unwillingly,unutterably weary from the dull weight of evil tidings.

  The muffled footsteps roused her from her revery and she turned her headand saw them coming. Her heart stood still for fear.

  Messer Andrea came before the others, falteringly--as if youth had diedout of him: he was pale and strange and no words fell from his blanchedlips during that long instant while he crossed the interminable stretchbetween them, and Caterina waited, with all her tortured soul crying outfor Janus.

  Then the King's favorite, with the cruel story written in his anguishedeyes, turned them full upon hers for one moment, that she might_know_--then bowed his head upon his breast and opened his arms, as ifhe fain would shelter her--

  "Caterina----" he said--"Child----"