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allowed himself to be surprised at Corneto by Conrad Lupo； the King of Hungary's vicar…general； and openly joined him； taking along with him a great party of the adventurers who fought under his orders。 This unexpected defection forced Louis of Tarentum to retire to Naples。 The King of Hungary soon learning that the troops had rallied round his banner； and only awaited his return to march upon the capital； disembarked with a strong reinforcement of cavalry at the port of Manfredonia； and taking Trani； Canosa； and Salerno； went forward to lay siege to Aversa。
The news fell like a thunder…clap on Joan and her husband。 The Hungarian army consisted of 10；000 horse and more than 7000 infantry； and Aversa had only 500 soldiers under Giacomo Pignatelli。 In spite of the immense disproportion of the numbers； the Neapolitan general vigorously repelled the attack； and the King of Hungary； fighting in the front； was wounded in his foot by an arrow。 Then Louis； seeing that it would be difficult to take the place by storm； determined to starve them out。 For three months the besieged performed prodigies of valour； and further assistance was impossible。 Their capitulation was expected at any moment； unless indeed they decided to perish every man。 Renaud des Baux； who was to come from Marseilles with a squadron of ten ships to defend the ports of the capital and secure the queen's flight； should the Hungarian army get possession of Naples； had been delayed by adverse winds and obliged to stop on the way。 All things seemed to conspire in favour of the enemy。 Louis of Tarentum； whose generous soul refused to shed the blood of his brave men in an unequal and desperate struggle； nobly sacrificed himself； and made an offer to the King of Hungary to settle their quarrel in single combat。 We append the authentic letters that passed between Joan's husband and Andre's brother。
〃Illustrious King of Hungary； who has come to invade our kingdom； we； by the grace of God King of Jerusalem and Sicily； invite you to single combat。 We know that you are in no wise disturbed by the death of your lancers or the other pagans in your suite； no more indeed than if they were dogs； but we； fearing harm to our own soldiers and men…at…arms； desire to fight with you personally； to put an end to the present war and restore peace to our kingdom。 He who survives shall be king。 And therefore； to ensure that this duel shall take place； we definitely propose as a site either Paris； in the presence of the King of France； or one of the towns of Perugia； Avignon； or Naples。 Choose one of these four places； and send us your reply。〃
The King of Hungary first consulted with his council； and then replied：
Great King； we have read and considered your letter sent to us by the bearer of these presents； and by your invitation to a duel we are most supremely pleased； but we do not approve of any of the places you propose； since they are all suspect； and for several reasons。 The King of France is your maternal grandfather； and although we are also connected by blood with him； the relationship is not so near。 The town of Avignon； although nominally belonging to the sovereign pontiff； is the capital of Provence； and has always been subject to your rule。 Neither have we any more confidence in Perugia； for that town is devoted to your cause。
As to the city of Naples； there is no need to say that we refuse that rendezvous； since it is in revolt against us and you are there as king。 But if you wish to fight with us； let it be in the presence of the Emperor of Germany； who is lord supreme； or the King of England； who is our common friend； or the Patriarch of Aquilea； a good Catholic。 If you do not approve of any of the places we propose； we shall soon be near you with our army； and so remove all difficulties and delays。 Then you can come forth； and our duel can take place in the presence of both armies。〃
After the interchange of these two letters； Louis of Tarentum proposed nothing further。 The garrison at Aversa had capitulated after a heroic resistance； and it was known only too well that if the King of Hungary could get so far as the walls of Naples； he would not have to endanger his life in order to seize that city。 Happily the Provencal galleys had reached port at last。 The king and the queen had only just time to embark and take refuge at Gaeta。 The Hungarian army arrived at Naples。 The town was on the point of yielding； and had sent messengers to the king humbly demanding peace； but the speeches of the Hungarians showed such insolence that the people； irritated past endurance； took up arms； and resolved to defend their household gods with all the energy of despair。
CHAPTER VIII
While the Neapolitans were holding out against their enemy at the Porta Capuana； a strange scene was being enacted at the other side of the town； a scene that shows us in lively colours the violence and treachery of this barbarous age。 The widow of Charles of Durazzo was shut up in； the castle of Ovo； and awaiting in feverish anxiety the arrival of the ship that was to take her to the queen。 The poor Princess Marie； pressing her weeping children to her heart； pale； with dishevelled locks； fixed eyes； and drawn lips； was listening for every sound； distracted between hope and fear。 Suddenly steps resounded along the corridor； a friendly voice was heard； Marie fell upon her knees with a cry of joy： her liberator had come。
Renaud des Baux； admiral of the Provencal squadron； respectfully advanced； followed by his eldest son Robert and his chaplain。
〃God； I thank Thee！〃 exclaimed Marie； rising to her feet； 〃we are saved。〃
〃One moment； madam；〃 said Renaud； stopping her： 〃you are indeed saved； but upon one condition。〃
〃A condition？〃 murmured the princess in surprise。
〃Listen； madam。 The King of Hungary； the avenger of Andre's murderers； the slayer of your husband； is at the gates of Naples； the people and soldiers will succumb； as soon as their last gallant effort is spentthe army of the conqueror is about to spread desolation and death throughout the city by fire and the sword。 This time the Hungarian butcher will spare no victims： he will kill the mother before her children's eyes； the children in their mother's arms。 The drawbridge of this castle is up and there are none on guard； every man who can wield a sword is now at the other end of the town。 Woe to you； Marie of Durazzo； if the King of Hungary shall remember that you preferred his rival to him！〃
〃But have you not come here to save me？〃 cried Marie in a voice of anguish。 〃Joan； my sister； did she not command you to take me to her？〃
〃Your sister is no longer in the position to give orders；〃 replied Renaud； with a disdainful smile。 〃She had nothing for me but thanks because I saved her life； and her husband's too； when he fled like a coward before the man whom he had dared to challenge to a duel。〃
Marie looked fixedly at the admiral to assure herself that it was really he who thus arrogantly talked about his masters。 But she was terrified at his imperturbable expression； and said gently
〃As I owe my life and my children's lives solely to your generosity； I am grateful to you beyond all measure。 But we must hurry； my lord： every moment I fancy I hear cries of vengeance； and you would not leave； me now a prey to my brutal enemy？〃
〃God forbid； madam； I will save you at the risk of my life； but I have said already； I impose a condition。〃
〃What is it？〃 said Marie； with forced calm。
〃That you marry my son on the instant； in the presence of our reverend chaplain。〃
〃Rash man！〃 cried Marie； recoiling； her face scarlet with indignation and shame； 〃you dare to speak thus to the sister of your legitimate sovereign？ Give thanks to God that I will pardon an insult offered； as I know； in a moment of madness； try by your devotion to make me forget what you have said。〃
The count； without one word； signed to his son and a priest to follow； and prepared to depart。 As he crossed the threshold Marie ran to him； and clasping her hands； prayed him in God's name never to forsake her。 Renaud stopped。
〃I might easily take my revenge；〃 he said； 〃for your affront when you refuse my son in your