t a lot to which all of thy sex and station are, of necessity,
subject!"

"For the offence against Providence I am already a penitent," returned
the Donna Violetta. "But surely it would be less embarrassing to a girl
of sixteen, were the fathers of the state so much occupied with more
weighty affairs as to forget her birth and years, and haply her wealth?"

"There would be little merit in being content with a world fashioned
after our own caprices, though it may be questioned if we should be
happier by having all things as we desire than by being compelled to
submit to them as they are. The interest taken by the Republic in thy
particular welfare, daughter, is the price thou payest for the ease and
magnificence with which thou art encircled. One more obscure, and less
endowed by fortune, might have greater freedom of will, but it would be
accompanied by none of the pomp which adorns the dwelling of thy
fathers."

"I would there were less of luxury and more of liberty within its
walls."

"Time will enable thee to see differently. At thy age all is viewed in
colors of gold, or life is rendered bootless, because we are thwarted in
our ill-digested wishes. I deny not, however, that thy fortune is
tempered by some peculiar passages. Venice is ruled by a policy that is
often calculating, and haply some deem it remorseless." Though the voice
of the Carmelite had fallen, he paused and glanced an uneasy look from
beneath his cowl ere he continued. "The caution of the senate teaches it
to preclude, as far as in it lies, the union of interests that may not
only oppose each other, but which may endanger those of the state. Thus,
as I have said, none of senatorial rank may hold lands without the
limits of the Republic, nor may any of account connect themselves, by
the ties of marriage, with strangers of dangerous influence, without the
consent and supervision of the Republic. The latter is thy situation,
for of the several foreign lords who seek thy hand the council see none
to whom the favor may be extended without the apprehension of creating
an influence here, in the centre of the canals, which ought not to be
given to a stranger. Don Camillo Monforte, the cavalier to whom thou art
indebted for thy life, and of whom thou hast so lately spoken with
gratitude, has far more cause to complain of these hard decrees, than
thou mayest have, in any reason."

"'Twould make my griefs still heavier, did I know that one who has shown
s