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ect and deference that he himself had affected for Andre； when the thought was first in his mind of causing his ruin。 But the Duke of Durazzo was by no means deceived as to the devoted friendship shown towards him by the heir of the house of Tarentum； and pretending to be deeply touched by the unexpected change of feeling； he all the time kept a strict guard on Robert's actions。
An event outside all human foresight occurred to upset the calculations of the two cousins。 One day while they were out together on horseback； as they often were since their pretended reconciliation； Louis of Tarentum； Robert's youngest brother； who had always felt for Joan a chivalrous； innocent love；a love which a young man of twenty is apt to lock up in his heart as a secret treasure；Louis； we say； who had held aloof from the infamous family conspiracy and had not soiled his hands with Andre's blood； drawn on by an irrepressible passion； all at once appeared at the gates of Castel Nuovo； and while his brother was wasting precious hours in asking for a promise of marriage； had the bridge raised and gave the soldiers strict orders to admit no one。 Then； never troubling himself about Charles's anger or Robert's jealousy； he hurried to the queen's room； and there； says Domenico Gravina； without any preamble； the union was consummated。
On returning from his ride； Robert； astonished that the bridge was not at once lowered for him； at first loudly called upon the soldiers on guard at the fortress； threatening severe punishment for their unpardonable negligence； but as the gates did not open and the soldiers made no sign of fear or regret； he fell into a violent fit of rage； and swore he would hang the wretches like dogs for hindering his return home。 But the Empress of Constantinople； terrified at the bloody quarrel beginning between the two brothers； went alone and on foot to her son； and making use of her maternal authority to beg him to master his feelings； there in the presence of the crowd that had come up hastily to witness the strange scene； she related in a low voice all that had passed in his absence。
A roar as of a wounded tiger escaped from Robert's breast： all but blind with rage； he nearly trampled his mother under the feet of his horse； which seemed to feel his master's anger； and plunging violently； breathed blood from his nostrils。 When the prince had poured every possible execration on his brother's head； he turned and galloped away from the accursed castle； flying to the Duke of Durazzo； whom he had only just left； to tell him of this outrage and stir him to revenge。 Charles was talking carelessly with his young wife； who was but little used to such tranquil conversation and expansiveness； when the Prince of Tarentum； exhausted； out of breath； bathed in perspiration； came up with his incredible tale。 Charles made him say it twice over； so impossible did Louis's audacious enterprise appear to him。 Then quickly changing from doubt to fury； he struck his brow with his iron glove； saying that as the queen defied him he would make her tremble even in her castle and in her lover's arms。 He threw one withering look on Marie； who interceded tearfully for her sister； and pressing Robert's hand with warmth； vowed that so long as he lived Louis should never be Joan's husband。
That same evening he shut himself up in his study； and wrote letters whose effect soon appeared。 A bull； dated June 2； 1346； was addressed to Bertram de Baux； chief…justice of the kingdom of Sicily and Count of Monte Scaglioso； with orders to make the most strict inquiries concerning Andre's murderers； whom the pope likewise laid under his anathema； and to punish them with the utmost rigour of the law。 But a secret note was appended to the bull which was quite at variance with the designs of Charles： the sovereign pontiff expressly bade the chief…justice not to implicate the queen in the proceedings or the princes of the blood； so as to avoid worse disturbances； reserving； as supreme head of the Church and lord of the kingdom； the right of judging them later on； as his wisdom might dictate。
For this imposing trial Bertram de Baux made great preparations。 A platform was erected in the great hall of tribunal； and all the officers of the crown and great state dignitaries； and all the chief barons； had a place behind the enclosure where the magistrates sat。 Three days after Clement VI's bull had been published in the capital； the chief…justice was ready for a public examination of two accused persons。 The two culprits who had first fallen into the hands of justice were； as one may easily suppose； those whose condition was least exalted； whose lives were least valuable； Tommaso Pace and Nicholas of Melazzo。 They were led before the tribunal to be first of all tortured； as the custom was。 As they approached the judges； the notary passing by Charles in the street had time to say in a low voice
〃My lord； the time has come to give my life for you： I will do my duty； I commend my wife and children to you。〃
Encouraged by a nod from his patron； he walked on firmly and deliberately。 The chief…justice； after establishing the identity of the accused； gave them over to the executioner and his men to be tortured in the public square； so that their sufferings might serve as a show and an example to the crowd。 But no sooner was Tommaso Pace tied to the rope； when to the great disappointment of all he declared that he would confess everything； and asked accordingly to be taken back before his judges。 At these words； the Count of Terlizzi； who was following every movement of the two men with mortal anxiety； thought it was all over now with him and his accomplices； and so； when Tommaso Pace was turning his steps towards the great hall； led by two guards； his hands tied behind his back； and followed by the notary； he contrived to take him into a secluded house； and squeezing his throat with great force； made him thus put his tongue out； whereupon he cut it off with a sharp razor。
The yells of the poor wretch so cruelly mutilated fell on the ears of the Duke of Durazzo ： he found his way into the room where the barbarous act had been committed just as the Count of Terlizzi was coming out； and approached the notary； who had been present at the dreadful spectacle and had not given the least sign of fear or emotion。 Master Nicholas； thinking the same fate was in store for him； turned calmly to the duke； saying with a sad smile
〃My lord； the precaution is useless； there is no need for you to cut out my tongue； as the noble count has done to my poor companion。 The last scrap of my flesh may be torn off without one word being dragged from my mouth。 I have promised； my lord； and you have the life of my wife and the future of my children as guarantee for my word。〃
〃I do not ask for silence；〃 said the duke solemnly； 〃you can free me from all my enemies at once； and I order you to denounce them at the tribunal。〃
The notary bowed his head with mournful resignation； then raising it in affright； made one step up to the duke and murmured in a choking voice
〃And the queen？〃
〃No one would believe you if you ventured to denounce her； but when the Catanese and her