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He had been outwitted in the presence of the Maggior Consiglio by a
son who had shown an astuteness and courtliness of which any Venetian
father might be proud, together with a knowledge of the point upon which
he based his appeal, which required the summoning of the Avvogadori di
Commun, though it was uttered in the presence of the six supreme
Councillors of the Republic! He could not interpose to demean his
ancient lineage by consenting to this unpatrician alliance; he would not
accept the alternative for his only son--the last of the Giustiniani!
Nor could he urge a Giustinian to break a vow of honor made before the
highest tribunal of the realm. He was trembling with wrath and filled
with admiration, while he sat speechless, awaiting the issue of a
question which so deeply concerned the interests of the Ca' Giustiniani.
The impression was profound, and a silence fell upon that magnificent
assembly through which the rulers of the ship of state seemed to hear
the throbbings of a threatened storm.


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