How was it possible to make such a woman understand? She was
quiet now, and he was stealing away from her with a kiss on her
forehead.
"Promise me!" she insisted, following him and clasping his arm with
sudden strength.
"Marina, they are very set; and the Ten--thou dost not know their
power."
"And shall all Venice brave the wrath of our most Holy Church because
the Senate is afraid of the Ten? Are the Ten more powerful than the Holy
Father and all the priesthood and sacraments of the Church? Marco, my
beloved, how shall I save thee?" "Carina, these things are not coming
upon Venice; thou dost not understand the law of Church and State."
"No, Marco," she answered boldly, "it is rather thou who dost not
understand. There will be no services, no marriage for our people, no
burial, no consolations of our holy religion, no sacraments--if this
excommunication should come upon us."
"If we had sinned, Marina, and laid ourselves open to interdict, then
these things should come--not otherwise.
Pages:
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282