Page:The Fall of Constantinople.djvu/375

 PLUNDER OF THE CITY. 357 they held the shield of God before tliem. It was onl}' wlien they had entered that they threw it away, and covered them- selves with the shield of the devil.' 1 have already mentioned that the Italians resident in Con- stantinople who had returned to the city with their The expen- *■ ... enceaofNice- countrynicn wcrc conspicuous in their hostility to the Greeks. Amid this resentment there were ex- amples, however, that former friendships were not forgotten. The escape of Nicetas himself is an illustration in point. He had held the position of Grand Logothete^ but he had been deposed by Mourtzouphlos. When the Latins entered the city he had retired to a small house near Ilagia Sophia, which was so situated as to be likely to escape observation. His large house, and probably his official residence, which he is careful to tell us was adorned with an abundant store of ornaments, had been burned down in the second fire. Many of his friends found refuge with him, apparently regarding his dwelling as specially adapted for concealment. Nothing, however, could escape the observation of the horde which was now ransack- ing every corner. When the Italians had been banished from the city Nicetas had sheltered a Yenetian merchant, with his wife and family. This man now clothed himself like a sol- dier, and, pretending that he was one of the invaders, prevent- ed his countrymen or any other Latins from entering the house. For some time he was successful, but at length a crowd, prin- cipally of French soldiers, pushed past and flocked within. From that time protection became impossible. The Venetian advised Nicetas to leave, in order to prevent himself from be- ing imprisoned and to save the honor of his daughters. Kicetas and his friends accepted the advice. Having clothed them- selves in skins or the poorest garments, they were conducted through the city by their faithful friend as if they were his prisoners. The girls and young ladies of the party were placed in their midst, their faces having been intentionally smeared • " L'Estoire de Eraclcs," p. 275, " Recueil." 2 This office still exists. The principal duty of the person who holds it is to recite the Creed in great religious services when the patriarch officiates.