Marina had grown more beautiful out of the joy of loving and the
increased satisfaction of her religious life, to which she was more than
ever devoted; her passion for beauty expressed itself by delight in
sumptuous ceremonial, while her love of romance and her unquestioning
faith were alike nourished on the legends of the saints which had become
far more to her during her stay in Rome, where every hour had been
happiness. These three years of absence had made some subtle difference
in the Lady Marina; there was more mystery about her with less reserve,
and a certain calm acceptance of the position all conceded had given her
courage to discuss religious history and opinions in a serious way that
was quite charming to the older prelates who mingled in Venetian social
circles, where simple earnestness of soul was a quality so rare that it
might have been mistaken for a depth of subtlety; but the Lady Marina
talked or listened only because the themes were of vital interest for
her. Besides, she had now her child to guide and she must know; and the
learned men who gave their lives to the study of higher things were
those, above all others, from whom she could learn the most; and with
this unconscious flattery a little court, of a character somewhat
unusual in Venice, had gathered in her salons.
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