a letter was
brought by the gastaldo of Nicolotti, Piero Salin, who, in spite of
opposition among the brothers, persisted in delivering it with his own
hand, though it was rare that any one outside his usual circle was
permitted to hold an interview with Fra Paolo; but Piero's masterful
ways had not left him, and when he willed to do a thing the wills of
others counted little. It was a pity--because the missive was
mysterious, crumpled with long carrying--and if a trusty member of their
own community had delivered it to Fra Paolo in his cell, there might
have been some revelation!

But there was none. Fra Paolo was only a little more grave and silent
than of wont; but often now he was so absorbed in government matters
that he took less part in the social life of the Servi.

So Piero, laughing at the ease with which he had carried his point for
nothing but the asking,--and it had to be done, since he had promised
Marina,--had his interview alone with Fra Paolo, and passed easily
through the group of disappointed friars, under those exquisitely
wrought arcades to his gondola, thanking them with nonchalance and
pressing them to avail themselves more often of the eager service of his
barcarioli, that the blessing of the Madonna might be upon their
traghetti, to the discomfiture of their rivals the Castellani. For Piero
was a faithful gastaldo and lost no opportunity of seeking favor for the
faction he represented, and there was a certain grace in his proffer,
since priests and friars paid no fares.

Fra Paolo left alone read the message which held the tragedy of a life.

"I could not stay in Venice, dear friend of my whole life, to see thee
guide our country into such sad error; for so to my heart it
seemeth--may God help us both!

"And when there was no longer hope that my little word might prevail to
hold any in that way which alone seemeth to me right--and thou, with thy
great gifts, art using them for State and not for Church, Paolo mio, not
for our Holy Church--I could not stay, because I love thee! I must have
been ever chiding thee had I remained, as if God had made me for no use
but to be a thorn in thy flesh--which I could not believe.

"But because He hath made thee great, He hath given thee thy conscience
for thy guide, as mine to me; which holdeth me from grief over-much, for
I know thee to be true and great.

"Therefore for peace, and not for gladness, have I left thee; for
reverence to the Holy Father,