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"
"Giustinian, I fain would keep them here!"
"That is the woman's side of it," said the Chief of the Ten, easily
dismissing her plea. "But for Marcantonio the appointment is good. When
the late-returned Ambassador to His Most Christian Majesty did render
his report before our Maggior Consiglio--an oration diplomatic and of
weight--I noted many of our graver men with eyes observing Marcantonio
closely, as they would mark how he weighed the speech of the old
diplomatist."
"And Marco?"
"He seemed not to take note of them. Or it may be a grace that he hath,
that he seemeth not to see; for he weareth the 'pensieri stretti e viso
sciolto'[3] meet for a Venetian councillor--age could not teach him
better to guard his thought, but it would make the wearing of his
careless face less easy. Or it may be that his mind hath space for the
speech only--one knows not! Save that all things come easily to
him--even the most beautiful bride in Venice, raised from the ranks of
the people to suit his whim!"
[3] Close-locked thoughts and open countenance.


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