Also
the rare and beautiful ivory crucifix had its history; the malachite
basin for holy water had been a gift to the infant Giustinian from his
eminence the cardinal-sponsor on the day of his baptism; there were
other treasures, more rare and sacred still, within the shrine of the
oratory, and there was a gift from his Holiness Pope Clement VIII.
There was no banquet hall in the palazzo Marcantonio Giustiniani, but it
was not needed, for the two palaces were like one.
The Lady Laura was radiant. If there had ever been a question of the
place that Marcantonio's bride should occupy in that patrician circle,
the distinction conferred upon her by the Senate had sufficed to
establish it. There could be no jealousy of one who occupied the highest
place, of one so gracious and equal to her honors, only of those who
should win her favor. So all came in the hope of it, and all were won;
but there were no partialities, no intimacies; for all ambitions of the
young and newly created patrician, the fullness of the home life
sufficed to her.
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