May this
day be memorable for Venice and for thee!"
The influences of their surroundings were strong upon them both; but the
young fellow, in his bounding life, craved something more than this
formal induction into the official life of his sumptuous state--he
longed to feel the human throb beneath it, that the sense of its weight
might be lifted; but he could not find his voice until they had passed
through the loggia and reached the chambers of the _Avvogadori_, where
sat the keepers of the Golden Book.
He stretched out his hand wistfully and touched the elder man.
"Father!" he cried, in a voice not well controlled. And again, more
steadily, though no answer came, "Father, I will not forget!"
The finding of his name among the birth records of the nobles of Venice,
the registration witnessed by the three solemn Avvogadori,--those
officers of the law whose rulings in their department were
inexorable,--the act of confirmation before the Imperial Senate,
whither, in grave procession, they immediately fared, preceded by the
sacred "Libro d'Oro," upon which the oath of allegiance was sworn with
bended knee--the ceremony was soon over, and Marcantonio stood enrolled
among the ruling body of the great Republic.
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