"
"Marco!" the word seemed a desperate appeal.
"That do I swear upon this sword which my father hath given me to prove
my knighthood--'to enrich,' he hath said, 'the records of our house.'
And thou wilt help me, my mother, for I love thee!" His voice had grown
tender and pleading again.
"I also love thee, Marco," she answered more gently, for none could
resist his voice when this mood was upon him; "but I may not help thee
to undo thyself and forget the honor of thine house."
"Mother," said Marcantonio, sternly, "charge me with no unknightly deed!
To love Marina is to love a woman nobler than any of thy maidens; thou
knowest her not. I would bring her to thee to win thee, but she will not
come. It is thou, she saith, who must send her sign of favor."
"I fear me it must be long in going, my Marco; yet I love thee well. How
should I send my favor to a daughter of the people!"
"Those are the words of Marina Magagnati."
"She is wise then; she will help thee to forget."
"The vow of a Giustinian is never broken; that hast thou taught me, my
mother, from the legends of our house.
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