So he made the announcement through a
gentleman of his household the next morning, while he was already
journeying toward the expectant Pope, to whom he carried bitter
disappointment; and the heart of the cardinal himself had been scarcely
less set upon those points of amelioration which he had not obtained. It
was a blow to his diplomacy and to his churchman's pride; for the terms
which the cardinal was empowered to offer were scarcely less haughty
than was the attitude which Venice had assumed throughout the quarrel.
His Holiness had wished that Venice, as a first step, should cancel the
"Protest" which she had widely published, declaring the interdict
invalid.
But Venice, with cool logic, had declined to accede to this; since the
protest, being based upon the censures, was practically annulled by
their withdrawal--which must therefore first take place. And, although
by this same logic she was led to declare that no act on the part of the
Republic would then be necessary to void her protest, she consented to
give a writing to that effect, so soon as the censures should have been
withdrawn.
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