ost freezing dignity when he comes again."

"But, Marco mio, thou doest him injustice; he is most interesting; he
was telling about the frescoes of the Michelangelo in the Sistine
Chapel; he knoweth them well, yet I think he liketh them little."

"It matters not," said Marcantonio, a little disdainfully; "thou hast
already seen them; thou canst have thine own opinion of their merit."

"But to hear all the allegories explained and all the illusions to the
history of our Holy Church is _most_ interesting," Marina pursued
calmly; "for the dear padre of San Donate had but little instruction; I
must know about all these things for baby's sake--he is growing so
fast."

"He is not going to be an artist," his father answered shortly; "and if
he were, we could find a better person to instruct him than a Spanish
member of the Jesuit College."

"_Marco_!" exclaimed his wife, with a long note of surprise; "is not our
Holy Church one? and are not her sons scattered over the whole world? I
knew not he displeased thee," she continued, in a changed tone, after a
little pause. "Of course I will not see him again. But is it Don
Fernanzo Lillo himself, or--or--Marco--it cannot be the order! Thou
canst not be so narrow!"

"At this time, Marina, with matters thus between Venice and Rome, I do
not care to entertain any of their order or any foreign priests in our
home; they do not place things in the proper light, and we have always
held a special position of loyalty toward Venice. When she is in
difficulties all the Ca' Giustiniani should seem to remember it; it
could make no other difference."

"I do not understand," she answered, looking at him with perplexed
brows.

"Why shouldst thou!" he exclaimed, glad to change a distasteful topic;
"such weariness is not needful for thee. I will not bring the worries of
the Council Chamber into thy boudoir."

"Nay, Marco, it would please me," she answered eagerly, rising instantly
from her languid attitude to come and stand over him, laying one hand on
his shoulder, half in caress and half in command. "Thy father tells
these matters to the Lady Laura; and for baby's sake I should understand
these troubles which touch our Republic. He will ask me questions very
soon."

"Well, then," he consented ungraciously, "what is it thou wouldst ask?"

She laughed at his reluctance, pressing her hand with a firmer and yet
more loving touch on his shoulder. "Because I am a Giustinian," she
began, wit