d entered the oratory of
the palace, whither she had implored him to come to her before he went
to the Senate Chamber--a dignity to which he had but just been elected.

"Why hast thou summoned me hither?" he asked somewhat coldly; for, like
most light-hearted people, he disliked scenes, and differences between
himself and his wife were the more intolerable to him because he truly
loved her.

"Oh, Marco, my beloved!" she exclaimed imploringly, "thou lovest Venice
as much as I, and thy little word can save her from this great horror,
for thou art in the councils of thy people."

"Nay, Marina, thou dost not understand," he answered deprecatingly,
softening at the sight of her trouble. "I have but one vote; it is as
nothing in the Senate--it would but draw indignation against our house.
It is not possible to fail in loyalty to the Republic on this first
occasion of moment."

"Thy father might be won, if thou hast but courage. Thou art a
Giustinian; it is thy duty to speak in time of peril, and thy words
would make others brave to follow thee. Thus shalt thou save Venice."

"If thou didst but know, carina, how the Senate and the Ten are set
against this wish of thine! I should not speak of this matter to thee,
for it is secret--but to calm thee and help thee understand."

"How shall it calm me to know that the people and the city are rushing
under the ban? If this terrible resolution passes, if our child--our
tender child--were to die to-morrow he would go without burial--a little
wandering soul! Marco, thou lovest our child?"

Her pauses and her desperate struggle for control were full of
inexpressible horror.

"Calm thyself, my darling; it shall not be," he answered, reassuringly.

"Oh, Marco mio! And thou wilt give thy vote against it? And thou wilt
use thine influence in the Council? Promise me!"

She clung to him, sobbing and exhausted.

He soothed her for a moment silently; should he leave her under such a
misunderstanding? It would be easier for them both, but he had intended
no untruth. How was it possible to make such a woman understand? She was
quiet now, and he was stealing away from her with a kiss on her
forehead.

"Promise me!" she insisted, following him and clasping his arm with
sudden strength.

"Marina, they are very set; and the Ten--thou dost not know their
power."

"And shall all Venice brave the wrath of our most Holy Church because
the Senate is afraid of the Ten? Are the Ten more pow