There were no
signs of displeasure; it must be that the lowly maid was very
beautiful."
"Was it a thing to make one sad, to have a son who could twist the
rulers round his little finger, and break the very laws of the Republic?
Nay, but cause for much stateliness!" said a matron with two sons in the
Consiglio.
"The bridal must be soon," said the Lady Laura to herself, as she sat
alone in her boudoir, "for the ceasing of this endless gossip." And,
because she could think of nothing else, she was already weary with the
planning of a pageant which made her heart sick.
But Giustinian Giustiniani had no words, for the case was hopeless--only
a face of gloom, and much that was imperative to keep him in the Council
Chamber.
For these few blissful days the lovers had heaven to themselves,
floating about at twilight on the shores of the Lido, where there were
none to trouble the clear serenity of their joy by the chilling breath
of criticism. "That white rose which I brought thee was in sign of my
mother's favor," Marcantonio reminded Marina more than once; "and for
the rest--all will be well; and for a little, we can wait.
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