To-day was like other
days for the nuncio, who was no member of the court of Venice, but a
figure without discretionary privilege, sent to keep in perpetual mind a
higher power. By his peremptory instructions he requested at once a
formal audience to deliver a message from his Holiness Paul V, which
could brook no delay.
"Behold!" said he, after due grace of apology, when the senators had
withdrawn to the Sala di Collegio and taken their accustomed places,
"here are two briefs which, by the imperative instructions of our
Sovereign Lord the Pope, I must at once deliver to your Serene
Highnesses."
They were sealed with the sacred seal of the Curia, and each bore the
inscription:
"A Marino Grimani, Duce; e alla Republica Veneta."
There was but a moment's consultation among the Signoria.
"The Serenissimo is _in extremis_," the most venerable of the Ducal
Councillors announced, "therefore these briefs which, in the name of the
Serene Republic of Venice, we receive, cannot be opened until the solemn
ceremonials of the death and the election shall have been concluded,"
and so dismissed the bearer of the Papal message to return to the
audience of the greater king.
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