There was a struggle among the lesser craft to draw closer to this
dramatic centre; they jostled each other unceremoniously; a splash, like
a falling oar, was heard, but scarce noted in the absorbing interest of
the moment; only a bare-legged boy jumped off from a tiny fishing-skiff
near which the oar had floated, and swam with it to to the gondola from
which it had fallen--since it was this boat which was making the
carnival for them! Piero, alone, had slightly turned his head and noted
that no one now stood on the _ponte piede_ behind the felze of his
gondola.
"The galley waits to receive the noble ladies to whom I am commissioned
_by those who have sent me_ to offer my respectful homage," said the
secretary, bowing low before the felze. "The noble ladies will proceed
thither in the ducal gondola which attends them. And thou, Messer
Gastaldo, wilt graciously aid me in their escort--since, verily, they
owe much to thy chivalry."
It was a pleasant scene for the onlookers.
But the Lady Marina sat motionless, and gave neither word nor sign in
response to the invitation of the ducal secretary.
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