I caught a glimpse of him standing quietly just inside the 'Nave
d'Oro,' while the other signori who go there to ridotto were out in the
Merceria to see the show; and I made haste away lest the crowd should
object to my habit for being like Fra Paolo's--they were so crazy for
Bragadin, following in the footsteps of the Signoria, like good
Venetians!"
"Who told the saying to the Signoria, when it might have crushed Fra
Paolo?" Fra Giulio questioned jealously.
"It may well have been his Excellency the Signor Donato, who was of the
Council in those days, but a man too strong to have a mind to the folly
of the others, and who walked about the chamber giving sign of much
displeasure while Bragadin made his gold. And the next day Fra Paolo is
commanded before the Signoria to meet the Provveditor of the Mint--being
the only man who hath dared speak his mind before the Signoria had
proved the worthlessness of Bragadin's promise. And our fine gold-maker
exchangeth his palace for a prison; for the test of the crucible is all
too easy for Fra Paolo, who speaketh naught that he knoweth not.
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