But the
gastaldo hath as little liberty of delay, as their Excellencies leave
him to decline the burden--I might better make shipwreck in the Canale
Orfano."
It was in this canal that the victims of the Inquisition mysteriously
disappeared, and Marina had repressed a shudder while she answered,
"Thou wilt come to me, Piero, if the purse of the Nicolotti weighs
little; thou shalt not fail, for this, of wearing the honor of gastaldo
grande.
"Nay," she had added, quickly disposing of his awkward attempts at
thanks, "think not of it again; it is for my pleasure to see thee great
among the people, for I also and my father are of them. It is this that
I have always wished for thee."
So, chiefly because it had been Marina's will, Piero had waived his
unwillingness and become the central figure in the imposing ceremony of
the election of the gastaldo grande of the Nicolotti, who were, indeed,
almost nobles by antiquity and prestige, not only claiming among
themselves the coveted title of _nobili_, but, under the sanction of the
government, electing their gastaldo with a degree of ceremonial granted
only to high officials, and prescribed in very ancient books of the laws
of the traghetti.
Pages:
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368