"
XVIII
The Lady Marina was wan from fear and fasting but very resolute, though
her face showed traces of tears, as her husband entered the oratory of
the palace, whither she had implored him to come to her before he went
to the Senate Chamber--a dignity to which he had but just been elected.
"Why hast thou summoned me hither?" he asked somewhat coldly; for, like
most light-hearted people, he disliked scenes, and differences between
himself and his wife were the more intolerable to him because he truly
loved her.
"Oh, Marco, my beloved!" she exclaimed imploringly, "thou lovest Venice
as much as I, and thy little word can save her from this great horror,
for thou art in the councils of thy people."
"Nay, Marina, thou dost not understand," he answered deprecatingly,
softening at the sight of her trouble. "I have but one vote; it is as
nothing in the Senate--it would but draw indignation against our house.
It is not possible to fail in loyalty to the Republic on this first
occasion of moment.
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