decking--of the dear altar, at which she should
kneel no more--and she held her breath to hear the answer.

"Will the most Reverend Mother bless the boat of a gondolier of the
people; and his sister, who hath been ill and craveth the morning air?"
Piero, who had discarded every emblem of his office, and wore only the
simple dress of the Nicolotti, put the question easily, without fear of
recognition. "And there is no great trouble in the city which calleth
these illustrious ladies so early from Murano?"

"Nay; but the Senator Giustiniani hath prayed us for a grace to his
sweet lady, for the chapel hath been closed while she hath been too ill
for service; and to-day it will be opened, dressed with flowers, and
we--because she loveth greatly our Madonna of San Donato and hath shown
bounty, with munificent gifts, to all the parish--will chant the matins
in her oratory."

They gave the benediction and passed.

While Marcantonio, with his tender thought for Marina fresh in his
heart, was waking to find only her note of farewell.

"Only because I love thee, Marco mio, I have the strength to leave thee.
And it is the Madonna who hath called me. Forgive, and forget not thy
sad Marina."

"Marina--" Piero began awkwardly, for argument was not his forte, and
Marina had always conquered him. "'Chi troppo abbraccia nulla stringe,'
one gains nothing who grasps too much. Thou wast ever one for duty, and
if the Senator Marcantonio will not take thee to Rome----"

"No, Piero, he cannot; he is one of the rulers of Venice."

"Thou, then--his wife----"

How could he venture to counsel her, of whose will and wisdom he had
always stood in awe? It seemed to Piero that he had already delivered an
oration; yet he felt that there was more to say, but his thoughts grew
confused in seeking for expression, and it was a relief to him to
communicate his uncertainty to the motion of his gondola.

The unsteady movement said more to her than words, for Piero was an
unfailing stroke.

"It is the men only of whom the Republic hath need," she explained,
unflinchingly; "but for the women there is no conflict of duty--the Holy
Church is first. 'Prayers for the women and deeds for the men'--thou
hast seen it written."

"And thy father?" Piero questioned, unconvinced, recalling the interview
of a few hours before.

A quick, tender light flashed and passed in her eyes; a ray of color
trembled on her cheek. "I shall grieve him," she said, "but he