"
All Venice knew that Fra Paolo's nerve and knowledge were the central
forces of the resistance of the Republic in this crisis.
As he moved slowly forward and stood before this magnificent assembly
with the same simple dignity that had characterized him among the friars
of the Servi,--after the splendors of the ducal costume, the scarlet,
the ermine, the beretta, the gold-brocaded mantle,--the plain folds of
the violet robe of the Counsellor seemed almost austere. His lineless
face was so fresh in color that it looked youthful, though of singular
gravity and refined asceticism. Yet men of force were drawn to him
because of his strength, his broad grasp of duty, and his absolute
fearlessness.
As he stood for a moment perfectly still before them, his eyes--blue,
penetrating, and unrevealing--swept the faces of the assembly with a
magnetic glance which compelled their entire attention. The hush was
_felt_ among them, and in the silence his voice--clear, passionless,
low, and far-reaching--seemed not so much a voice as a suggestion within
the inner consciousness of his hearers of the thoughts he uttered.
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