She was watching for
Marcantonio, to whom she signed eagerly to hasten, as the guard of the
Doge permitted him to pass the doorway.
"Thus hath our lady been, and naught hath moved her," she said low, and
in distress, "since the Secretary of the Serenissimo, who with much
futile reasoning hath sought to change her, hath taken his leave, save
that ever and anon she hath opened her eyes to watch the door and bid us
pray for Venice."
Her husband had reached her side and taken her listless hand before
Marina had noticed his approach; but there was no smile in her eyes as
she raised them to his--only a look of unutterable misery.
"Is there no hope?" she questioned. Her fingers, weakly folded about
his, were burning.
He controlled himself with a great effort.
"Yes, carina, every hope. All is well; and the Serenissimo hath been
most gracious. To-morrow, when thou hast had thy rest, he will send to
thee the Reverend Counsellor Padre Maestro Paolo, that he may quiet all
thy fears. For all is well.
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