Nay, since even the Senator Marcantonio had
not flinched before that wonderful agonized white face, he need not
confine her, as he had intended, in a convent for decorous keeping; he
was glad of the change in her favor which would prevent the harshness
that might have increased her influence to the degree of danger. He
sent, instead, a gracious message by his secretary--"Might the father
pay a visit to his daughter of the Republic to inquire of her welfare
and assure her of his favor, before she returned to her palace?"
But the message of courtesy, sent by the Doge himself, had been stayed
on the threshold of his own state salon.
* * * * *
The Republic had, indeed, quitted herself nobly in her vote; so valiant
a blow had she struck for the rights of princes that this consciousness
rang out in the bold tones of her announcement to the courts of
Europe--"Which things we have thought best to tell you for your sole
information, so that if mention be made of them to you, and not else,
you may be able to answer to the purpose and to justify this our most
righteous cause.
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