rse of Venetian
in character and manner, but since she had been so honored by the
Republic that difference was recognized as her distinction and charm.

"I doubt not," Marcantonio said, laughingly, "that if nuns might take
part in our social functions thou wouldst prefer them also to thine own
maidens and all the noble ladies of the Canal Grande. But who held part
in this interesting ridotto to-night?"

"Truly, Marco, I think some day perchance I may get a dispensation and
have all the nuns of San Donate for baby's festa in the oratory--would
it not be beautiful to hear them chanting in our own palazzo! But that
is only a dream; I know not if it may ever be."

She came toward him, in her shimmering festal robes, with the
unconscious, happy grace of a child, dropping into a low seat close
beside him, leaning back and letting her hands fall in an attitude of
complete repose, while she gave him, without effort, the detail of the
evening's talk. He was a little surprised at the way in which she made
this graphic recital of a discussion he would have supposed beyond her
comprehension--or at least beyond her concern--and he was not wholly
pleased. He had quite forgotten that one of the charms of Marina upon
which he had insisted in the days when he had made much of this maiden
to his patrician mother was that in capacity for thought and in force of
character she was far above the maidens of ancient lineage, from whom
the Lady Laura would have had him choose his bride.

Marina had named, among others, Fra Francesco, her own spiritual
director, a Servite friar of gentle and winning demeanor, who was much
beloved both in his convent and in other circles where his duties called
him. He was a man of simple habits and the most exemplary life, whose
whole force lay in his extreme devotion to duty and his passionate love
for the Church; his sole anxiety was for her glory, and he would have
been supremely happy in the life he had chosen, were it not for his
growing anxiety lest from her own sons she should receive dishonor. He
was always a welcome visitor at the palazzo Giustiniani, and already
the little prince of the household had a special smile for him.

"Ah, Fra Francesco, of course!" said Marcantonio, in an indulgent tone;
"our own friars and ecclesiastics are welcome. But, carina, these
foreign priests are often of a different way of thinking; and Don
Fernanzo Lillo, that fluent Spaniard--verily I would have thee don thy
m