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the middle of the night。 Leaving the government of Naples in the hands of Conrad Lupo； one of his captains； he embarked hastily at Berletta； and left the kingdom in very much the same way as Louis of Tarentum； fleeing from him； had left it a few months before。
This news arrived at Avignon just when the pope was about to send the queen his bull of absolution。 It was at once decided to take away the kingdom from Louis's viceroy。 Nicholas Aeciajuoli left for Naples with the marvellous bull that was to prove to all men the innocence of the queen； to banish all scruples and stir up a new enthusiasm。 The counsellor first went to the castle of Melzi； commanded by his son Lorenzo： this was the only fortress that had always held out。 The father and son embraced with the honourable pride that near relatives may justly feel when they meet after they have united in the performance of a heroic duty。 From the governor of Melzi Louis of Tarentum's counsellor learned that all men were wearied of the arrogance and vexatious conduct of the queen's enemies； and that a conspiracy was in train； started in the University of Naples； but with vast ramifications all over the kingdom； and moreover that there was dissension in the enemy's army。 The indefatigable counsellor went from Apulia to Naples； traversing towns and villages； collecting men everywhere； proclaiming loudly the acquittal of the queen and her marriage with Louis of Tarentum； also that the pope was offering indulgences to such as would receive with joy their lawful sovereigns。 Then seeing that the people shouted as he went by； 〃Long live Joan！ Death to the Hungarians！〃 he returned and told his sovereigns in what frame of mind he had left their subjects。
Joan borrowed money wherever she could； armed galleys； and left Marseilles with her husband； her sister； and two faithful advisers； Acciajuoli and Spinelli； on the l0th of September 1348。 The king and queen not being able to enter at the harbour； which was in the enemy's power； disembarked at Santa Maria del Carmine； near the river Sebeto； amid the frenzied applause of an immense crowd； and accompanied by all the Neapolitan nobles。 They made their way to the palace of Messire Ajutorio； near Porta Capuana； the Hungarians having fortified themselves in all the castles； but Acciatjuoli； at the head of the queen's partisans； blockaded the fortresses so ably that half of the enemy were obliged to surrender； and the other half took to flight and were scattered about the interior of the kingdom。 We shall now follow Louis of Tarentum in his arduous adventures in Apulia； the Calabrias； and the Abruzzi； where he recovered one by one the fortresses that the Hungarians had taken。 By dint of unexampled valour and patience； he at last mastered nearly all the more considerable places； when suddenly everything changed； and fortune turned her back upon him for the second time。 A German captain called Warner； who had deserted the Hungarian army to sell himself to the queen； had again played the traitor and sold himself once more； 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 mot