Send for some bishop or theologian
who takes the right view; let him present it as a fact, and with
authority; her life depends upon it."
He leaned down to his patient in deep commiseration to tell her that all
was well--that Venice was under no ban, that God's blessing still
shielded her churches and her children; but she raised her eyes steadily
to his, and the strength of the belief, which he saw clearly written
within them, filled him with awe and hushed his speech. How was it
possible to make her understand!
"Nay," said Marina faintly, still holding him with her sad, solemn eyes,
"do not speak. Since Fra Francesco comes no more there is but one who
speaketh truth to me. It is the vision of my beautiful Mater Dolorosa of
San Donato, which leaveth me not."
There was a stir in the depths of the streets below--a noise of the
populace coming nearer, following along the banks of the Canal Grande,
as if the cause of their excitement were in some hurried movement on
its placid waters; the shouts and jeers of the strident voices were
broken by authoritative commands of the Signori della Notte--the
officers of police--and the tramp of their guards failing to create
order; and above the hubbub rose the cry, distinctly repeated again and
again--the cry of an angry populace, "Ande in malora! Ande in malora!"
("Curses go with you!")
XXII
Even Giustinian Giustiniani came and went heavily, asking for the latest
change before he returned to the Senate Chamber, and carrying with him
always a vision of that white, pleading face which had so wrought upon
his anger when he had seen it luminous with her hope for Venice.
Pages:
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336