Already fortune had been kind to him beyond his hopes,
and, with the daring of youth, he was resolved to claim the possible.
The Veronese alone knew of his intention, and as to his father--he could
only put him out of his thoughts. If the Senate listened to his petition
there would be no difficulties, but he would not weaken his courage by
any previous contest, unavailing as it must be.
Meanwhile there was the remembrance of the roses of the Lady
Laura--fragrant with her great renunciation.
The honor of this summons was reflected in the increased dignity of the
elder Giustinian, and in a tinge of urbanity new to him, as he parted
from Paolo Caghari and Marcantonio, who remained standing on the floor
of the hall, to take his seat among the senators in the seats running
around the chamber, as on the previous day, instead of the one
rightfully his own among the higher Council who were to pronounce the
laudatory words.
The industries of Murano had always been dear to the senatorial heart,
but of late years the fostering care of the Republic had been increased
to an unprecedented degree, and the stimulus thus given to the workmen
of Murano had been evidenced in a series of brilliant discoveries, so
that the marvel of their fabrics had become as much a source of jealousy
to other nations as of revenue and pride to the Republic.
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