Paul V hath exceeded his rights.
Leonardo Donato, Serenissimo of the Republic, is not guilty in
self-defense."
She quivered as if a knife had been thrust through her; then,
controlling herself by force, she dipped her fingers in the basin of
holy water that stood upon the little altar. "It is sacrilegious to
speak against the Holy Father," she said in a low, grieved tone, as she
made the sign of the cross upon his breast. "May God forgive thee, my
dear one--it is not thy fault. But in the Senate they are misleading
thee!"
"My sweet wife," he answered, much troubled, and folding her closely.
"Do not grieve. All will be well for Venice. We shall not bring harm
upon her."
But she detected no yielding in his tone. She lifted her head from his
breast, and moved slightly away from him.
"Marco," she asked firmly, "when is the vote to be cast?"
"To-day, before sunset, and I must not linger. It would bring misfortune
upon our house if I were to be absent in an affair of such moment. Else
would I not leave thee.
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