it was Fra Paolo's
voice. I caught a glimpse of him standing quietly just inside the 'Nave
d'Oro,' while the other signori who go there to ridotto were out in the
Merceria to see the show; and I made haste away lest the crowd should
object to my habit for being like Fra Paolo's--they were so crazy for
Bragadin, following in the footsteps of the Signoria, like good
Venetians!"

"Who told the saying to the Signoria, when it might have crushed Fra
Paolo?" Fra Giulio questioned jealously.

"It may well have been his Excellency the Signor Donato, who was of the
Council in those days, but a man too strong to have a mind to the folly
of the others, and who walked about the chamber giving sign of much
displeasure while Bragadin made his gold. And the next day Fra Paolo is
commanded before the Signoria to meet the Provveditor of the Mint--being
the only man who hath dared speak his mind before the Signoria had
proved the worthlessness of Bragadin's promise. And our fine gold-maker
exchangeth his palace for a prison; for the test of the crucible is all
too easy for Fra Paolo, who speaketh naught that he knoweth not."

"Santa Maria! here cometh the 'bride,'" some one exclaimed warningly;
for none of Fra Paolo's friends had the courage for frivolity in his
grave presence, harmless as it might appear in his absence, and this
watchword was often heard in the cloister as he approached.

He was conversing earnestly with his secretary, Fra Fulgenzio, evidently
on business of the Senate, having remained in the convent all day,
contrary to his usual custom; Fra Fulgenzio had been to and fro with
messages, and once had returned from the Ducal Palace escorting several
grave personages who had gone to Fra Paolo's cell for some conference,
which gave rise to pleasant comment in the convent--since the
Serenissimo could not dispense with the personal service of its
Consultore for a single day, and every honor shown to Fra Paolo was dear
to the hearts of the Servi.

Fra Paolo paused only for a moment as he passed the group to exchange a
greeting, but his keen, quiet glance took in every expression, from the
affectionate smile of old Fra Giulio to the jealous discontent of Fra
Antonio, whose gaze drooped before him while he hastened to give the
accustomed sign of reverence due to one so high in authority.

Fra Paolo considered him seriously for a moment before resuming his
stroll. "Fra Antonio," he said, in his passionless voice, "the head