May peace indeed
bring thee its benediction--the more that thy need is great."
Was there some strange power of resistance in that fragile, drooping
figure which made it difficult to rehearse the argument for Venice with
his accustomed mastery?
She listened silently while the learned Counsellor patiently explained
that the sentence of Rome was unjust, therefore not incurred and not to
be observed by priests nor people; wherefore it was the duty of the
Prince to prevent its execution--of the Prince who, more than any
private citizen, is bound to fear God, to be zealous in the faith and
reverent toward the priests who are permitted to stand in the place of
Christ for the enforcement of his teaching only; but it is also the more
the duty of the Prince to eschew hypocrisy and superstition, to preserve
his own dignity, and maintain his state in the exercise of the true
religion.
But there was no acquiescence in her eyes.
"I thank thee, most Reverend Father, for thy patient teaching," she
said; "but I lack the learning to make it helpful.
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