r at this latest moment of our
discussion to his judicial mind."

All Venice knew that Fra Paolo's nerve and knowledge were the central
forces of the resistance of the Republic in this crisis.

As he moved slowly forward and stood before this magnificent assembly
with the same simple dignity that had characterized him among the friars
of the Servi,--after the splendors of the ducal costume, the scarlet,
the ermine, the beretta, the gold-brocaded mantle,--the plain folds of
the violet robe of the Counsellor seemed almost austere. His lineless
face was so fresh in color that it looked youthful, though of singular
gravity and refined asceticism. Yet men of force were drawn to him
because of his strength, his broad grasp of duty, and his absolute
fearlessness.

As he stood for a moment perfectly still before them, his eyes--blue,
penetrating, and unrevealing--swept the faces of the assembly with a
magnetic glance which compelled their entire attention. The hush was
_felt_ among them, and in the silence his voice--clear, passionless,
low, and far-reaching--seemed not so much a voice as a suggestion within
the inner consciousness of his hearers of the thoughts he uttered. The
strange sense of impersonality which was one of his distinguishing
attributes prevented the usual desire for contest with which most
thinking men meet other strong minds, and was, perhaps, a secret of his
triumphs.

"Most Serene Prince, Counsellors, and Nobles of the Council, if you ask
me of the law as it hath declared itself to my understanding, the matter
is simple and quickly to be uttered.

"The dominion of the Church marches in the paths of heaven; it cannot
therefore clash with the dominion of princes, which marches on the paths
of earth. But the Roman court--calling itself the Church--is no longer
satisfied with that spiritual dominion to which it hath right, having
become aggressive and seeking to impose doctrines far removed from the
primitive law of the Church."

There was a slight pause, while the quiet eyes held his audience with a
challenge of assent; the faces of those who were unqualifiedly with him
in doctrine grew eager; here and there a dignified head bowed, unaware,
as if surrendering some belief.

"Christ himself hath said, 'My kingdom is not of this world,' and the
power of the Sovereign Pontiff over Christians is not limitless, but is
restricted to spiritual matters and hath for rule the Divine Law.

"If the Pope, to enfo