"
He uttered the words tremblingly, as if he had been taught them, and the
interruption at such an hour, though not unprecedented, was at least
unusual enough to cause consternation. The flood of words ceased; there
was an uneasy movement among the senators, then a hush of suspense.
Without waiting for the customary consent of the Doge, a procession of
white-robed, white-veiled women passed through the open doorway, moving
slowly and solemnly to the Doge's throne. The leader stepped forth from
her group of maidens and knelt at the foot of the dais.
This sudden arrest of action by these white-robed gliding figures, at a
moment when the Senate was about to defy the authority of the Church,
brought a superstitious thrill to many hearts within that chamber.
Among the younger senators it was whispered, in unsteady tones, that a
message delayed for the death of a prince was likely to bring
trouble--messengers, perchance, from another world--when forced again to
discussion. They listened breathlessly for the message; but the figure
still knelt in silence.
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