o
would be sung, in lieu of the interrupted vesper service.

"The Signoria hath had warnings without end," the Chief of the Ten was
explaining hastily to Father Gianmaria, as they strolled toward the
chapel. "The Holy Father wanteth him out of Venice, since he hath been
Consultore--for the man is a marvel! But he would rather have him alive
than dead--as the learned Scioppius hath explained, not long since, to
Fra Paolo himself! And this whole plot hath been unveiled to us by one
who watcheth secretly in Rome for the interest of Venice, since there
hath been no open communication. It was hatched in the Orsini palace, in
that holy city, not unknown to some of their Eminences; the chief
accomplices are friars--we have the names of the other two; and Piero
Salin is on the watch. The stakes are high for the friars' game--five
thousand _scudi_ apiece and a promise of Church preferment; but Piero
Salin hath ways of doing his duty! The Senate will send orders for the
better protection of its Consultore; meanwhile let him not venture forth
without two ducal guards."

"Your Excellency knoweth that Fra Paolo will have no state."

"A cowl over their saintly faces, if it please his fancy! It is the
order of the Senate, waiting better plans of safety--a suite in the
Ducal Palace or a house connected therewith by some guarded passage.
Warning hath been sent us most urgently, by friends of the Republic, of
a great price and absolution for him who may bring Fra Paolo to
Rome--alive or dead!"

XXVII

These days had been important in the Senate. In the deliberations prior
to the departure of di Gioiosa the concessions which Rome had
persistently asked had been so persistently and diplomatically declined
that even the wily cardinal dared no longer press them; and it seemed at
last that there was to be truce to the cautious and subtle word-weighing
of months past, as di Gioiosa, suddenly realizing that he held the
ultimatum of the Republic, had taken his departure for Rome in the
night--conceiving it easier, perhaps, to confess his partial defeat to
the dignified Signoria by proxy. So he made the announcement through a
gentleman of his household the next morning, while he was already
journeying toward the expectant Pope, to whom he carried bitter
disappointment; and the heart of the cardinal himself had been scarcely
less set upon those points of amelioration which he had not obtained. It
was a blow to his diplomacy and to his ch