His attention was a moment called off to Burstow, who was now in close pursuit of Baltha Ogli.

"Could we afford to lose one for ten or even twenty, sire,” said Phranza, "this day's work were a brave one." "They are spiking the cannon," cried the Emperor. "Ah! my brave Varangians, I knew I might trust you! But what think you of my plan, Phranza ?"

"It is wonderful," said the Protovestiare, "what can detain those vessels: but I own, I think the attempt, with five ships, to break through three hundred, is almost desperate."

"If they do not, my lord, how are we to procure gunpowder ?"

Phranza merely shrugged his shoulders.

"I believe," continued the Cæsar, "that they are held back by the greatness of the risk. If so, and if it be possible to relieve the city, I can trust no man like De Rushton."

"It is a great stake to throw for, sire; but methinks it were well thrown. But how is he to reach Chios ?" "Oh, the difficulty for a single boat to steal out will not be so very great," replied Constantine. "At all events, he must run that as well as the other."

"Then the sooner the better, sire."

"The sooner the better. Look yonder! The reserve of Amurath's veterans are coming up. By the Panaghia, he will be cut off! Ah, no-he sees. it-there is the trumpet of recall. And now, Lord Phranza, I have a favour to ask at your hands."

"To ask, sire, is to command."

"But I would not force it from you, Phranza. Give it willingly, or give it not at all."

“Most willingly, sire: so much I can say before-> hand."

"Still, if, when you have heard it, you think otherwise, you shall have full licence to retract what you now say. I know, Lord Phranza, what it is that urges this English knight on-valiant and true he would be ever,-I would rather say, that stirs him up to such intense exertion." The Great Protovestiare looked uneasy.

"And I have known it long, Phranza. The poets, you know, tell us that love can do wonders; and for once they do not lie; for he proves it. But tell me,- -were it not well (and I speak as much for you as for him) were it not well that you promised him, if he succeeds in this attempt, the recompense for which he has striven so long and so nobly ?"

"My liege," said Phranza, "your words must ever be laws to me. But your Splendour cannot wonder if I have hitherto hesitated to match the daughter of one of the best houses of Constantinople with a foreign adventurer."

My lord," returned Constantine, mournfully, "dare to look at things as they are. Is there the meanest Count, think you, in Europe, that would change his paltry coronet for my imperial diadem ? And by the like reasoning, may not a knight of good birth, and undoubted valour, and so approved in every point of chivalry, claim to match with your daughter, circumstances being as they are-although he comes from that barbarous northern country ?"

Phranza was silent. His pride and his good sense were strongly contesting possession of his heart.

66

'Forgive me, my lord," proceeded Constantine, soothingly, "if I have said anything which might hurt you. What I have said of you, I had before said of myself; and-so help me the Panaghia!-had I a daughter, princess though she were, I should hold her the

safer, and myself the more honoured, for this knight's alliance."

"I can hold out no longer, sire: so be it, then, in GOD's name."

"That is well and wisely spoken," said the Emperor, "and you have a Cæsar's thanks. Look! the Janissaries are drawing off! There will be no more work to-day."

The parties that had sallied out, after facing round once or twice upon their pursuers, had now made good their retreat. The gates were closed, and Sir Edward de Rushton soon was again standing by the Emperor.

"Bravely done, as ever, my Lord Acolyth!" cried Constantine; "I think that will be your last exploit for to-day. Come with the Lord Phranza into the tower; I have a matter of importance on which to speak to you."

De Rushton followed into the lower part of S. Romanus's Tower, where a room had been hastily fitted up for the Emperor's occasional reception."

"Nicephorus," said Constantine, "we would be private. Admit no one for the next half-hour."

"And let me find you on the wall, Burstow, when I come out again," said De Rushton.

"Ay, my good lord."

Constantine seated himself, and then said, "I need not tell you, my Lord Acolyth, that all hope of relieving the city, both from famine, of which there is danger, and from want of ammunition, with which we are even now so sorely pressed, lies in the arrival of those ships that, as we last heard, were at Chios."

"Has your majesty intelligence of them ?"

"Not a word," replied Constantine. "But it is too evident, either that they do not know our extreme need, or that they are afraid to run the risk."

"Yet, by the account, they are strong vessels," observed De Rushton.

"Ay," replied the Emperor; "but five to three hun. dred is fearful odds. For the imperial galley, I can warrant it; I have sailed in her with my brother,1 the blessed one. For the Genoese, we have only their own words. But the sum of all is this, Lord Acolyth. We have determined to despatch some one, if it be possible, from the city, to bring those galleys in. The risk is greatthe glory will be great too. Are you willing to be the man ?"

"I thank your majesty," cried De Rushton, kneeling ; "I could not have asked for anything better."

"Could you not ?" said Constantine, smiling and looking at Phranza; "that is but a poor compliment to you, my lord. I fear I must ask you to retract what you have even now said."

"I think not, sire.-De Rushton, some time agone you told me that you loved my daughter; do you still hold in that mind ?"

"Would I reach Paradise ?" cried the knight.

"If, then, you return in safety from this adventure, take her, and take my blessing with her," answered Phranza.

De Rushton poured out his thanks in terms more energetic than eloquent." And when, sire, am I to set forth? and in what way does your majesty deem the best ?"

"As to the way, one soldier you had better take with you; and then you must try to creep through the blockading fleet by night. For the time, this very night, if you so please."

"With your majesty's leave, I will take Burstow with me. He is faithful and courageous as any, and has a brain that will carry him through everything."

"Do so, my lord. We will draw out a warrant for your taking the command of the fleet. You must re1 I.e. my late brother.

member to humour the Genoese captains, for they love not interference. Never interfere, except in case of necessity; but then, all offence must be risked."

"I understand, sire."

"Come to me at the palace at dusk," said Constantine, "and have all your preparations ready by that time."

"I have but one to make, sire, and that is of the Lord Protovestiare. My lord, I am setting forth on an expedition full of risk, from which I may never return: I shall go with a lighter heart, if you will let me have half-an-hour's speech of your daughter before I set forth." "My lord," said Phranza, "consider that this meeting would be but painful to you at the best; and if"

"Nay, nay," said Constantine, "by all the rules of Western chivalry, the lover should see his mistress before setting forth to his battles. Have you not a silly trick of wearing the lady's scarf, in your knighthood ?"

"It is often so done," replied De Rushton.

"Give him licence, give him licence, Lord Phranza." "You have my good leave, Lord Acolyth. Shall I see you again ?"

"Come you to us, my lord," said Constantine, "when this same interview is over.-Go, now, and S. George speed you!"

'Burstow," said the knight, "you may come back with me to my lodgings. The Emperor has given me a commission to take charge of the fleet at Chios. You have heard of it, I doubt not—"

Oh, yes, my lord; they say that the city cannot hold out a fortnight longer, if it does not arrive."

"If I can once get there," continued Sir Edward, “I do not fear for the consequences. The thing is, how to get forth in safety. I am to have one companion, and I have chosen you."