cuss."

"And _now_?" she asked, still unwilling.

"Said I not 'now'?" he answered resolutely, advancing toward the arches
which admitted to the palace.

But Bernardini stood in his way, arresting his quick pace.

"My cousin, thy 'now' must wait upon the Queen's good pleasure," he
said, with due deference. Then, more lightly, "It is the way of our
Court in Cyprus--which would do thee honor. Her Majesty hath ordered
some festive trifle of music, or other entertainment, which our
music-maidens, skilled upon the lute, would fain begin."

At a signal from the Lady Margherita, they came floating out upon the
terrace: but the Cornaro turned frowning from them and signed with his
hand that his cousin, the Bernardini, should let him pass.

At a glance from the Queen, Bernardini moved courteously aside, but
Caterina did not follow: she waited for a moment before she spoke--as if
to weigh her speech.

"If it be for matter of the Embassy which may not be delayed," she said,
"I will bid our Chamberlain advise our Council of the Realm, that we may
receive it with all honor befitting the Court of Venice, so soon as they
shall be gathered in the Audience-Chamber. Though the hour be strange,
it is of thy choosing; and thou art our dear guest--as, also, our
honored Ambassador from the Republic."

The Cornaro stood for a moment as if uncertain what part to play; then,
making light of it all, he dismissed his frown and with a whimsical
laugh and graceful deprecatory motions, he turned to his sister and
offered his hand to lead her in.

"Nay, nay, my sister; I spoke of no formal session of State to receive
my Embassy; rather of a friendly talk between us two, touching the
matter upon which the Republic hath sent me hither--that we may better
understand each other before it be laid before the Council. With thy
leave, my cousin."

He passed with a friendly nod and some jesting word, which the
Bernardini returned more gravely:

"Thou dost verily surround thyself with state, Caterina!" her brother
exclaimed in a tone of stern displeasure, when she had indicated a
chamber where they might be alone, and he had carefully assured himself
that the quaint Eastern draperies concealed no guards--the while she
watched him in amazement.

"It is better for thee that there be no listeners," he said, as he
placed a seat before her and sat down, fixing her with his gaze.

"Hearken without speech until I have spoken." His tone was threatening.