The next day the young Queen of Naples,lovelier,more smiling than ever,sitting carelessly in a graceful attitude beside a window which looked out on the magnificent view of the bay,was busy weaving a cord of silk and gold.The sun had run nearly two-thirds of his fiery course,and was gradually sinking his rays in the clear blue waters where Posilippo's head is reflected with its green and flowery crown.A warm,balmy breeze that had passed over the orange trees of Sorrento and Amalfi felt deliciously refreshing to the inhabitants of the capital,who had succumbed to torpor in the enervating softness of the day.The whole town was waking from a long siesta,breathing freely after a sleepy interval:the Molo was covered with a crowd of eager people dressed out in the brightest colours;the many cries of a festival,joyous songs,love ditties sounded from all quarters of the vast amphitheatre,which is one of the chief marvels of creation:
they came to the ears of Joan,and she listened as she bent over her work,absorbed in deep thought.Suddenly,when she seemed most busily occupied,the indefinable feeling of someone near at hand,and the touch of something on her shoulder,made her start:she turned as though waked from a dream by contact with a serpent,and perceived her husband,magnificently dressed,carelessly leaning against the back of her chair.For a long time past the prince had not come to his wife in this familiar fashion,and to the queen the pretence of affection and careless behaviour augured ill.Andre did not appear to notice the look of hatred and terror that had escaped Joan in spite of herself,and assuming the best expression of gentleness as that his straight hard features could contrive to put on in such circumstances as these,he smilingly asked--"Why are you making this pretty cord,dear dutiful wife?""To hang you with,my lord,"replied the queen,with a smile.
Andre shrugged his shoulders,seeing in the threat so incredibly rash nothing more than a pleasantry in rather bad taste.But when he saw that Joan resumed her work,he tried to renew the conversation.
"I admit,"he said,in a perfectly calm voice,"that my question is quite unnecessary:from your eagerness to finish this handsome piece of work,I ought to suspect that it is destined for some fine knight of yours whom you propose to send on a dangerous enterprise wearing your colours.If so,my fair queen,I claim to receive my orders from your lips:appoint the time and place for the trial,and I am sure beforehand of carrying off a prize that I shall dispute with all your adorers.""That is not so certain,"said Joan,"if you are as valiant in war as in love."And she cast on her husband a look at once seductive and scornful,beneath which the young man blushed up to his eyes.
"I hope,"said Andre,repressing his feelings,"I hope soon to give you such proofs of my affection that you will never doubt it again.""And what makes you fancy that,my lord?"
"I would tell you,if you would listen seriously.""I am listening."
"Well,it is a dream I had last night that gives me such confidence in the future.""A dream!You surely ought to explain that.""I dreamed that there was a grand fete in the town:an immense crowd filled the streets like an overflowing torrent,and the heavens were ringing with their shouts of joy;the gloomy granite facades were hidden by hangings of silk and festoons of flowers,the churches were decorated as though for some grand ceremony.I was riding side by side with you."Joan made a haughty movement:"Forgive me,madam,it was only a dream:I was on your right,riding a fine white horse,magnificently caparisoned,and the chief-justice of the kingdom carried before me a flag unfolded in sign of honour.After riding in triumph through the main thoroughfares of the city,we arrived,to the sound of trumpets and clarions,at the royal church of Saint Clara,where your grandfather and my uncle are buried,and there,before the high altar,the pope's ambassador laid your hand in mine and pronounced a long discourse,and then on our two heads in turn placed the crown of Jerusalem and Sicily;after which the nobles and the people shouted in one voice,'Long live the King and Queen of Naples!'And I,wishing to perpetuate the memory of so glorious a day,proceeded to create knights among the most zealous in our court.""And do you not remember the names of the chosen persons whom you judged worthy of your royal favours?""Assuredly,madam:Bertrand,Count of Artois ""Enough,my lord;I excuse you from naming the rest:I always supposed you were loyal and generous,but you give me fresh proof of it by showing favour to men whom I most honour and trust.I cannot tell if your wishes are likely soon to be realised,but in any case feel sure of my perpetual gratitude."Joan's voice did not betray the slightest emotion;her look had became kind,and the sweetest smile was on her lips.But in her heart Andre's death was from that moment decided upon.The prince,too much preoccupied with his own projects of vengeance,and too confident in his all-powerful talisman and his personal valour,had no suspicion that his plans could be anticipated.He conversed a long time with his wife in a chatting,friendly way,trying to spy out her secret,and exposing his own by his interrupted phrases and mysterious reserves.When he fancied that every cloud of former resentment,even the lightest,had disappeared from Joan's brow,he begged her to go with her suite on a magnificent hunting expedition that he was organising for the 20th of August,adding that such a kindness on her part would be for him a sure pledge of their reconciliation and complete forgetfulness of the past.Joan promised with a charming grace,and the prince retired fully satisfied with the interview,carrying with him the conviction that he had only to threaten to strike a blow at the queen's favourite to ensure her obedience,perhaps even her love.
