of
his little grandson, the infant Giustinian.

Venice, being more munificent in expenditure than her unassisted
treasury would warrant, was at all times ready to receive and encourage
private bounties from her wealthy citizens; and the promptness and
generosity of Magagnati's gift, the first which had been offered in this
emergency, seemed in the interests of the government to demand some
adequate public recognition, modestly as it had been proffered. Haughty
as was the attitude of Venice in the face of the threatened
excommunication, the occasion was one of peril to which she was not
blind, and the danger was greatest among the people--the _popolo_--who
were more under the influence of the priests, and who still included in
their beliefs many superstitions which were not likely to deter the
disciplined body of nobles from acquiescence in the decisions of their
chiefs.

It was therefore a moment for diplomacy, when Venice might fitly show
magnanimity in her acceptance of so princely a gift from one of the
people, as this master-worker of Murano was still esteemed; and Girolamo
Magagnati was invited to appear before the Senate and receive the
acknowledgment of the Serenissimo, who had already been informed by the
Councillors that while the spontaneous offer of a galley so maintained
had no precedent in the annals of Venice, the reward which the Senate
proposed to bestow had, in fact, in early historic days been offered by
the Republic as a stimulus to such a gift.

Girolamo Magagnati, a grave and venerable figure,--with white locks
falling from under his round black cap, and a full gray beard flowing
over the long merchant's robe of stiff silk, and wearing the insignia
of his calling, a golden chain which by its weight and numerous links
was also an indication of his wealth,--might have been one of the
Signoria, as he stood among them to receive their thanks--unabashed, as
became one of his dignity of character and age, unattended, as befitted
one of the people.

The Doge himself made a gracious speech of acceptance on behalf of the
Republic, to which Girolamo briefly answered: "Most Serene Prince and
Noble Lords of the Council, in the name of my grandson Giustinian, I
thank you," and with a grave obeisance he would have retired; but it was
signified to him that he might not yet withdraw.

"Yet one thing remaineth, most esteemed Messer Magagnati, by which this
Republic would testify her appreciation of such loyal