The Senate will stand firm on the issue, and not
one of the Ca' Giustiniani shall flinch."
"Is there no possible doubt of the ending?" the Lady Laura questioned,
after a little troubled silence. Her heart was very sore for Marina, who
slept but little, and was constantly fasting.
"Only of that which lieth between; the end is triumph for Venice,"
Giustinian declared. "Tell that to Marina, and calm her fears. Also, let
it not be known that she is so weak in courage; it would be held against
Marcantonio, to whom the suspicion of being wife-ridden would do an
infinite injustice. And bid Marcantonio himself tell her of the vote
that hath passed the Senate, without dissent of a single voice, for
letters to be sent to the imperious Paul to make an end of his demands,
declaring that Venice recognizeth for the temporal government of her
states no superior, save God alone."
Meanwhile in Rome, to the Ambassador Agostino Nani, Paul had already
superbly made answer, "We are above all men, and God hath given us power
over all men; we can depose kings and do yet more than that.
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