XXXI
The court had been recently thrown into consternation by the discoveryof a plot to seize the various citadels of the island and hold them forCarlotta. It was evidently well supported and far advanced, as disclosedby the intercepted letters addressed to some unknown person, which hadbeen laid before the Council; all who were mentioned as partisans orconfidants in this intrigue were designated under assumed names, but theknowledge which these papers gave the Council was of immense value,enabling them to provide that all the garrisons of Cyprus should becommanded by men of known loyalty to the Queen. Meanwhile vigorousefforts were being made to discover the identity of the person addressedas
"_L'Illustrissima, Madama di Niuna._"
But no light had been thrown upon the matter, although it had beenopenly discussed in the court-circle.
Dama Margherita had noticed with uneasiness that Ecciva de Montferrat,who was usually on the alert for any excitement, had seemed singularlyapathetic when this subject had been broached, and she felt that thetrust reposed in her by the Admiral required her to mention hersuspicions to Madama di Thenouris, although she shrank from this dutythe more because she knew that Dama Ecciva was supposed to be exertingsome secret influence against herself.
"Dear Madama di Thenouris," she said appealingly, "it seems so much themore ungracious on my part. Yet it is treachery to our Queen. And if itshould be that Dama Ecciva hath been receiving these letters and holdingsuch part in these intrigues--to leave her where she hath free access tothe court-circle.--But it cannot be true; she is too young to be sofaithless! And if she need not know that I have hinted of my fears? Itwould seem like some petty revenge--yet I cannot be false to my trust!"
"Thank heaven thou canst not, Margherita, since others find it easy! Yetwe must watch for our own assurance, and may thy fears prove naught!Comfort thy soul, for _some_ one is guilty, and the finding of theculprit will clear all others of suspicion."
* * * * *
"It is most strange about these letters," Madama di Thenouris saidlater, as the young maids of honor sat around her with their embroideryframes. "Tell me, Ecciva----"
There was a sudden convulsive movement of the girl's arm and she gave anexclamation of annoyance as the golden thread snapped in her needle; butshe did not look up.
Madama di Thenouris, closely watching, saw that her fingers trembled sothat she could scarcely hold her needle.
"Tell me," she pursued in her leisurely fashion, after a slight pause,while Ecciva's needle still remained unthreaded, "what method shall wetake to discover the identity of this unknown 'illustrissima'--this_Madama di Niuna_?"
The girl's alarm grew evidently less; but it was a moment more beforeshe answered:
"Why doth your Excellency thus honor me, in calling me in counsel? Thereare others whose opinion would carry more weight."
"Nevertheless, since I have asked thee, give me thy thought."
"_Madama di Niuna_," the young maid of honor exclaimed petulantly,forgetting her deference, "there is no Madama di Niuna!--How should Iknow?" The silk was hopelessly knotted and twisted about the tiny pearlshe had just threaded, requiring close attention; Madama di Thenourisalso seemed to watch her work with interest.
"Thou art right, my child, thou art over-young to have any knowledge ofso despicable an intrigue. But the matter is naturally of deep concernfor us all," she added, as Ecciva, having recovered her perfectself-control lifted her eyes to Madama di Thenouris with a smile thatwas intended to thank her for her trust, while assuring her that therewas no possible ground for supposing that she had any knowledge of thisintrigue.
But the gray-haired court-lady met her gaze searchingly and with noanswering smile--she who could be so gracious.
"The Council will follow a clue upon which they have just chanced, andwhich may lead to the discovery. If Madama di Niuna would come forwardto confess," she pursued with quiet emphasis, "it might lessen thepenalty for participation in this intrigue--which some among the Counciltell us can be nothing less than death."
There was a murmur of abhorrence from the young voices about her, butDama Ecciva was quite silent, although there had been a motion of herblanched lips as if to speak, and Madama di Thenouris still held herfascinated gaze. Her eyes had suddenly dilated with a look of terror,yet almost instantly reassumed their long oval shape--the lids closingto more than their narrow wont: her embroidery had slipped to the floor,as she rose, and she was treading it under her feet--bruising andgrinding it passionately, as if it were some safe, unnoticed outlet tothe fear and anger that might smother her. She had flung out her handsdesperately, the dainty tapering fingers working with strenuous, nervousmotions--but now they were tightly clenched in the rose-leaf palms, andshe stood bracing herself, like a statue of defiance. There was an addedpallor on the beautiful ivory face--so still she was she scarcely seemedto breathe--yet all at tension--like some wild thing of the tropicalforest, suddenly brought to bay, summoning all her strength for the leapthat was to free her.
But she might rage in vain against the invisible meshes that held her,although it was but for a brief moment that Madama di Thenouris hadsearched her soul in silent confession.