"
"Never before, in the annals of the Republic, was one known to refuse
the gift of nobility," Giustinian explained, as he described the scene
to the Lady Laura. "And, verily, one saw that the displeasure of the Ten
was great; the more so that in the interests of the government the
return they would have made may not be kept from the knowledge of the
people. Yet our senior master of Murano was suffered to depart with a
gracious word of regret from this consummate Donate, 'that a new noble,
so loyal in sentiment, should not be numbered among the councillors of
Venice.' Truly this grandsire of our little one lacketh not pride, and
his bearing became him well, though the Senate would have had it
otherwise. His gift was generous; but verily he needeth little for the
maintenance of the state he keepeth!"
"Giustinian, it was a noble act! And already the Republic is more
beholden to our baby than to any child in Venice; it will bring gladness
to the face of our sad Marina."
"Nay, guard thee from speech of it; perchance she may not hear thereof,
being thus concerned with grief for this quarrel--womanlike; and she
hath not strength to bear the thought of war.
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