aul V, nor
any ecclesiastic among them all more familiar with the writings of their
authorities; and he hath a memory so astounding that he beareth the
meaning of all their codes on the end of his tongue wherewith to confute
the fallacious arguments of Rome."

"Giustinian!"

"It is like a woman to ask a thing and cry out if the answer be not
smothered in sweets!" the old Senator retorted irritably, resenting her
accent of reproof. "It is small marvel if the Consultore seemeth not
great to thee; the power of the man is in the clarity of his vision and
the brevity of his speech."

"Who named him to the Signoria?"

"Donato knew him well, and Morosini and all our ablest men; and his
knowledge of the ways of Rome, where he hath been much in legislation at
the Vatican, is a power in the Senate--which hath no mind to be taken in
argument, nor to fail in courtesy, nor to show ignorance in its demands.
It is much to have a judge whose opinion our adversary must respect."

"The Senate will be cautious--will not forget the reverence owed to the
Holy Church?" she asked, in warning, troubled at his bold use of words.

"Nay, but the Republic will first remember the duty owed to our prince,
since it is a matter that toucheth the State," he answered,
uncompromisingly, "and for our duty to the Church--leave that to our
frate, than whom none is more devout."

She was too keenly interested not to put the further question:

"Is it safe for Fra Paolo to lead this controversy? Is it pleasing to
his order?"

Giustinian gave a contemptuous laugh.

"Thou mayest well ask! Fra Paolo also would not hear of it at first,
foreseeing where it might lead. But from urgency of the Senate he
yielded--if the consent of the general of the Servi were first won.
Wherefore it was granted one knows not; but the purple robe had,
perchance, some weight in the argument,--being a pleasing honor,--though
one may dare assert that Fra Paolo himself gave it not a thought, having
gathered honors all his life with no care for any greatness they might
bring."

"Nay, it was not this that won them," said the Lady Laura, with
decision, "but their hope that Fra Paolo would support the claims of the
Holy Father; it could have been nothing else."

"A hope most reasonable, were he a man of less remarkable force,"
Giustinian answered confidently. "But, as if he held a divining-rod, he
findeth at once the heart of a matter, and Venice hath no fears."

No, Venice h