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Updated: June 22, 2025
"It was well, Aluisi: it seemeth even now too soon too cruel to add this shadow to her grief: and but for thee, she must have known thereof that day. For she seeketh already to take up the burden of the State and questioneth daily of the Secretary of the King of that which passeth in the Council.
"Thou hast said it, Aluisi; this is not the writing of the king!" "Nay, beloved Sovereign Lady," the Chamberlain made answer, as he picked it up, and held it before her; "this is but a memorandum made for your Majesty's convenience, but attested under the seal of the kingdom. The original Will is in the keeping of the Lord of the Privy Seals, awaiting your command.
Fabrici also spoke against it." "It is strange: but they gave no reason?" "They gave a reason one of their own making: that there was a matter of more moment before the Council; that the Queen's pleasure might wait." "Aluisi! What saidst thou?"
"The Queen still liveth; but oh, my Lord, Aluisi!" her voice broke and her lips quivered, she stretched out her hands to him, the nervous fingers interlaced in a passion of pleading "they have stolen the baby-Prince: she will go mad if they keep him from her!" "They shall not!" he thundered with a terrible oath: he whose speech was fair as a woman's.
"What sayest thou of the Senator Aluisi Bernardini that he is no loss to Venice?" "Nay, nay: he is one that Venice may not too well spare: a man after her best traditions one for an embassy or any place of power a man to do us honor overgrave and quiet, perchance, for his youth, yet of a courtesy and judgment! and never leaving the thing undone! It is his father again."
But the people, who never before had entered those palace doors, came surging not afraid nor shrinking from the novelty and splendor nor curious for it; they came to pledge their fealty to the baby-prince a little child like their own whose gentle mother asked their love than which no monarch may bring a gift more royal. "Is there aught to fear, Aluisi?
She hath won the heart of the people these fêtes were a triumph they almost gladdened her. And now, poor child, she hath the little one to bring her comfort." "Aye, Madre mia; she hath perchance won the love of the simple folk; but it is a powerless love." "Aluisi! thou art not like thyself to scorn it." "I may well be not like myself in so strange a land," he answered bitterly.
It is a sad word to bring me of my people, Aluisi, since I would give my life for them." Her eyes had filled with tears. "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." She folded her hands very tightly for a moment, as if struggling with herself; then she lifted her eyes to his. "Teach me," she said.
She laid her hand entreatingly on his arm. "For once, my Aluisi, it may be thou dost o'er-reach thyself. Is he not her brother?" He smiled at her, unconvinced. "I have watched so long," he said, "and the life of our Queen-Cousin hath been so sadly thwarted that it may well be my fear for her taketh flame too lightly.
"Thou wilt verily give up this Embassy to France to go with the Caterina to her new land! There is some reason of which thou sayest naught else were it hard to comprehend thy choice. We are but two, Aluisi; may not thy mother hold thy confidence?" For answer he raised her hand to his lips, smiling upon her. Her brow cleared.
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