Page:Historic Girls.djvu/152

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CATARINA OF VENICE:


The Girl of the Grand Canal.


[Afterward known as Queen of Cyprus and "Daughter of the Republic."]
A.D. 1466.

Who is he? Why, do you not know, Catarina mia? 'T is his Most Puissant Excellency, the mighty Lord of Lusignan, the runaway Heir of Jerusalem, the beggar Prince of Cyprus, with more titles to his name—ho, ho, ho!—than he hath jackets to his back; and with more dodging than ducats, so 't is said, when the time to pay for his lodging draweth nigh. Holo, Messer Principino! Give you good-day, Lord of Lusignan! Ho, below there! here is tribute for you!"

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