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Updated: May 16, 2025
At night there was an audience in the Very High Residence, and Justiniani assisted Phranza in the presentation of his companions; and though the banquet which shortly succeeded the audience may not, in the courses served or in its table splendors, have vied with those Alexis resorted to for the dazzlement of the chiefs of the first crusade, it was not entirely wanting in such particulars; for it has often happened, if the chronicles may be trusted, that the expiring light of great countries has lingered longest in their festive halls, just as old families have been known to nurture their pride in sparkling heirlooms, all else having been swept away.
"To Phranza!" the Rhetorician responded. This episode hardly concluded when the Emperor's brother sauntered to the Duke's side; and on the appearance of the Emperor and the Princess, he exclaimed, enthusiastically: "Come of it what may, my Lord, the damsel is comely, and I fear not to compare her with the best of Trebizond or Georgia." The Duke did not answer.
Wherefore, there are of us who think it would be loyalty to help secure a bride for His Majesty at home, and thus make an end to the wasteful and inconclusive touring of Phranza." The Dean drew yet nearer the Princess, and reduced his voice to a tone slightly above a whisper.
His master, he said, was not afraid of Orchan, if the latter took the field as an open claimant, short work would be made of him. The warning was disregarded. Phranza submitted his proposals to Mahommed directly, and was surprised by his gentleness and suavity. There was no scene whatever.
He was in favor of preparing for war. Phranza thought diplomacy not yet spent. Notaras asked what preparations His Majesty had in mind. His Majesty replied, buying cannon and powder, stocking the magazines with provisions for a siege, increasing the navy, repairing the walls, clearing out the moat.
Thereupon Phranza understood the subject of his master's meditation; but being of a timid soul, emasculated by much practice of diplomacy, usually a tedious, waiting occupation, he hastened to reply: "Even so, my Lord. Yet he could afford to be heroic. He had consolidated the Church, and was holding the world in the hollow of his hand."
The time was dark as a starless night to the high-spirited but too amiable monarch, and he watched and waited, or rather watched and drifted, extending confidence to but two counsellors, Phranza and the Princess Irene. Even in their company he was not always comfortable, for, strange to say, the advice of the woman was invariably heroic, and that of the man invariably weak and accommodating.
"The duty Your Majesty charged me with this morning " thus Phranza upon recovery of his composure "I attended to." "And you found it?" "Even as Your Majesty had warning. The Hegumens of the Brotherhoods" "All of them, O Phranza?" "All of them, Your Majesty assembled in a cloister of the Pantocrator." "Gennadius again!" The Emperor's hands closed, and there was an impatient twitching of his lips.
"If this match should not be made after all" "He will know it first." "Yes, nothing from the lovers, neither smile nor sigh, can escape him." The Professor of Philosophy and his brother the Professor of Rhetoric ate and drank together, illustrating the affinity of learning. "Our Phranza is in danger," said the latter, nervously.
Let it pass, let it pass I understand thee....But what further hast thou from the meeting?" Phranza caught the hand again, and laid his forehead upon it while he replied: "To-night the Brotherhoods are to go out, and renew the story of the angel, and the man at the foot of the column of Constantine." The calmness of the Emperor was wonderful.
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