vanna in answer to her defence against the charge of
inaction in the matter of her late husband's murderers: "Giovanna, thy
antecedent disorderly life, thy retention of the exclusive power in the
kingdom, thy neglect of vengeance upon the murderers of thy husband, thy
having taken another husband, and thy very excuses abundantly prove thy
complicity in thy husband's death."

So far this was all as Charles of Durazzo could have desired it. But
there was more. Ludwig was advancing now in arms to take possession of
the kingdom, of which, under all the circumstances, he might consider
himself the lawful heir, and the Princes of Italy were affording
him unhindered passage through their States. This was not at all to
Charles's liking. Indeed, unless he bestirred himself, it might prove to
be checkmate from an altogether unexpected quarter, rendering vain all
the masterly play with which he had conducted the game so far.

It flustered him a little, and in his haste to counter it he blundered.

Giovanna, alarmed at the rapid advance of Ludwig, summoned her barons to
her aid, and in that summons she included Charles, realizing that at
all costs he must be brought over to her side. He went, listened, and
finally sold himself for a good price the title of Duke of Calabria,
which made him heir to the kingdom. He raised a powerful troop of
lances, and marched upon Aquila, which had already hoisted the Hungarian
banner.

There it was that he discovered, and soon, his move to have been a bad
one. News was brought to him that the Queen, taken with panic, had fled
to Provence, seeking sanctuary at Avignon.

Charles set about correcting his error without delay, and marched out
of Aquila to go and meet Ludwig that he might protest his loyalty, and
range himself under the invader's banner.

At Foligno, the King of Hungary was met by a papal legate, who in the
name of Pope Clement forbade him under pain of excommunication to invade
a fief of Holy Church.

"When I am master of Naples," answered Ludwig firmly, "I shall count
myself a feudatory of the Holy See. Until then I render account to none
but God and my conscience." And he pushed on, preceded by a black banner
of death, scattering in true Hungarian fashion murder, rape, pillage,
and arson through the smiling countryside, exacting upon the whole land
a terrible vengeance for the murder of his brother.

Thus he came to Aversa, and there quartered himself and his Hungarians
upon