rce his commands--unlawful when they exceed the
authority given him by Christ--fulminates his interdict, it is unjust
and null; in spite of the reverence owed to the Holy See, it should not
be obeyed.

"Seven times before hath Venice been so banned--and _never_ for anything
that had to do with religion!"

Again that strange, slight, emphatic pause, as if he need wait but a
moment for his reasoning to dissipate any conscious unwillingness.

The Contarini quoted low to his neighbor a recent _bon mot_ of the
Senate, "Everybody hath a window in his breast to Fra Paolo;" for
several senators of families closely allied to Rome started at the
boldness of the thought, and exchanged furtive glances of disapproval,
and the fearless eye of the friar immediately fixed upon them, holding
and quieting them as they moved restlessly to evade his glance. It was
as if he assured them silently, "I speak that I do know; cease to oppose
truth; let yourselves believe." And resistance lessened before the
impersonality of the pleader.

"One of the fathers tells us that an excommunication is null when it
would usurp over citizens the right of their prince. '_By me kings reign
and princes decree justice_'--it is the word of God."

There was no need of further pauses in the quiet flow of words, for
there was no longer any resistance; the Senate and Council hung
breathless upon his speech, which answered every misgiving; they knew
that his reading of canon law had never been questioned in Rome itself;
the man spoke with immense authority. But there was no triumph in his
bearing as he tuned the atmosphere of that august assembly into absolute
harmony, conquering every discordant note--only a further lowering of
the quiet voice, which seemed to utter, unchallenged, the conclusions of
each listener.

"The Sacred Canons agree that a Pope is liable to error and fallible in
cases of special judgment.

"Isaiah denounces such legislation, 'Woe unto them that decree
unrighteous decrees.'

"Wherefore I declare the justice of the cause of the Republic, and the
nullity of any judgment that may be pronounced against her in this
matter.

"Nor shall evil befall one for a sin not committed, nor can there be
disobedience to a mandate which hath been issued, without lawful
authority, by him who proclaims it; and authority, transcended, is no
longer lawful."

XX

When Marcantonio, finally released from his long day of service in the
Senate Chambe