e
pearls, apparently unheeding his request; "I chose them with that
thought--since they are for thy bride."

"And she will wear them worthily," Marcantonio answered, flushing, "and
like a queen, for none hath greater dignity, else could I not have
chosen her--I, who have learned a lady's grace by thee, my mother!"

She drew him to her with sudden emotion, for these days had been very
hard for her. "My boy--my boy! Does she love thee well for all thy faith
and devotion--for all that we are yielding her?"

"Madre mia, thou shalt see, if thou wilt let me take thee to her!"

"I had not thought--" she said, and stopped. "Would she not come with
thee?"

Marcantonio walked suddenly away to a window and stepped out on the
balcony for a breath of air; he was beginning to comprehend the under
side of his great joy, and it had come with a shock, on this very day
which he had thought would have been filled with a rush of gladness. He
grasped the cool marble of the parapet and tried to reason with himself;
he suddenly foresaw that many days of reasoning had entered into his
life, and always he must be ready to meet them with cool wisdom, since
enthusiasm was one-visioned. It was like taking a vow against youth, but
he himself had chosen it for his lot in life; his love was not less to
him, but the sudden realization had come that it was hard to fight
against the traditions of centuries. Yet how bravely she, his mother,
was trying to surrender her social creed for his happiness; it was not a
little thing that he had asked of her, but it seemed to him that her
soul had been nearer to her eyes than ever before during these days when
she had been suffering. At all costs these women--his dearest in the
world--must love each other, must bless each other's lives.

He went back with some comprehension of the barrier he had thought so
lightly to remove, with a vow in his soul to be more to each; because of
it neither should lose aught for his sake. He seemed suddenly older,
though his face was very tender.

"That which seemeth best to thee, my mother, in the matter of the
meeting, Marina would surely do; for it is thou who must guard for us
these little matters of custom, which none knoweth better. But her
father--never have I known one more courtly, nor more proud----"

"Marco, it is much to ask that we should think of him!"

"Ay, mother, it is much. Yet if thou knewest him thou wouldst
understand. For Marina is all the world to h