"And for the ambassador--it hath already been
courteously signified to him that the air of Venice agreeth not well
with one of his devotional tendencies."
"Tell me the name of the traitor," the Lady Laura urged, coming close
and laying her hand upon his shoulder.
"Nay," said her husband, shaking off her touch impatiently, "my anger
doth unlock my speech to a point I had not dreamed, for the matter may
be held before the Inquisition! But it is a name unknown to thee, and
new to this dignity, which he weareth like a clown! The freedom is still
too great for this entry to the Senate; the serrata hath done its work
too lightly if it leave space for one parvenu! To-morrow, when thou
takest the air in thy gondola, my Lady Laura, thou shalt look between
the columns of the Ducal Palace and know whatever the State will declare
to thee of that which concerneth the government alone! The times are
perilous."
"They will be better when the interdict is removed----"
"Ay--no--one knows not; it is a matter too grave for women and too
little for the Republic to grieve about.
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