is Council by the noble
Marcantonio, of the ancient and princely house of Giustinian. Since in
this sixteenth century our Republic, by grace of God and favor of her
Rulers, is not less enlightened than in those earlier days to perceive
when graciousness may promote her welfare, in granting favor to a noble
house which hath ever shown to Venice its valor, its discretion, its
unfailing loyalty."

A cry of exaltation rang through the house like an electric thrill; the
senators started to their feet.

"My life, my faith, my strength--the might of all my house for Venice!"
shouted the young Giustinian, with his sword held high above his head,
like an inspired leader.

XII

The permission of the Maggior Consiglio, under favor of this imperious
government, was equivalent to a command and a public betrothal, and for
a few ecstatic days the heir of the Ca' Giustiniani went about in a
state of exaltation too great to be aware of any home shadows--the
slumbering anger of the Capo of the Ten and an inharmonious atmosphere
wherein each was intensely conscious of an individual estimate of the
great event which touched them all so nearly.

For suddenly the betrothal of this only son of an old patrician family
had assumed almost the proportions of a State marriage; and a young
fellow for whom time-honored observances of the realm could be set
aside, and who had won so extreme a proof of favor by his own wit and
grace, was surely a figure that might well occupy public attention.

But the decree would soon be a state paper; it was already an accepted
fact in the halls of the Council and in the salons of the nobility, and
the disappointed great ladies from the neighboring palaces were calling,
with curious questions decorously dressed in congratulatory form.

"When should they have the pleasure of welcoming the _new_ Lady of the
Giustiniani?"

"Was it not true that the Lady Marina--that was to be," there was always
some little stinging emphasis in the gracious speech, "had given a
votive offering to the convent of the Servi? She was a devote
then--quite unworldly--this beautiful maiden of Murano?"

"What a joy for the Lady Laura that so soon there would be a bride in
the Ca' Giustiniani!"

"The Lady Laura had never been more stately," they told each other when
they entered their gondolas again, "nor more undisturbed. There were no
signs of displeasure; it must be that the lowly maid was very
beautiful."

"Was it a thing