"
"Santa Maria! here cometh the 'bride,'" some one exclaimed warningly;
for none of Fra Paolo's friends had the courage for frivolity in his
grave presence, harmless as it might appear in his absence, and this
watchword was often heard in the cloister as he approached.
He was conversing earnestly with his secretary, Fra Fulgenzio, evidently
on business of the Senate, having remained in the convent all day,
contrary to his usual custom; Fra Fulgenzio had been to and fro with
messages, and once had returned from the Ducal Palace escorting several
grave personages who had gone to Fra Paolo's cell for some conference,
which gave rise to pleasant comment in the convent--since the
Serenissimo could not dispense with the personal service of its
Consultore for a single day, and every honor shown to Fra Paolo was dear
to the hearts of the Servi.
Fra Paolo paused only for a moment as he passed the group to exchange a
greeting, but his keen, quiet glance took in every expression, from the
affectionate smile of old Fra Giulio to the jealous discontent of Fra
Antonio, whose gaze drooped before him while he hastened to give the
accustomed sign of reverence due to one so high in authority.
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