such laxity that in striving to reach the court of the
enemy she had imperiled the dignity of the Republic by her silent
censure. Marcantonio had trembled more when, the morning after the
storm, news had reached him that the fugitive was in the keeping of the
Signoria, than if the message had announced her death. What might he not
expect of their jealousy!

But a ducal secretary had received him with courtesy and conducted him
at once into the audience chamber of the Doge, who bade him send for her
maidens that she might be cared for tenderly, for her stay at the Palace
would be indefinite. It was a royal command, against which pleading or
rebellion were alike useless.

"Most Serene Prince!" cried Marcantonio in agony, "I beseech thee leave
me that gift which a gracious Senate once so generously bestowed! I have
never swerved in loyalty--though my heart was nigh to breaking that I
might not grant her prayer!"

But one in attendance spoke quickly; for the face of the good Leonardo
Donato was full of compassion, and he might not be trusted to serve the
higher interests of the Republic.

"It is of the clemency of the Serenissimo," said that inflexible voice,
"that the Lady Marina reaps not the penalty of her flight and of her
disloyalty to the State, since she hath sought to place her private
judgment beyond the wisdom of the rulers of Venice."

The figure stood motionless in the shadow of a column, muffled in a long
black mantle, a black beretta partially concealing the face.

There was an icy inflection in the tones which sent a chill to
Marcantonio's heart as he listened. One of the Chiefs of the Ten was
always a member of the still more dreaded Inquisition, whose identity
was never known, and the passionless voice held a hint of indisputable
authority--was his suffering wife to rely upon the mercy of the most
puissant member of this terrible commission!

"Take my life for hers!" he implored, so beside himself with grief and
terror that he disclosed his fear for Marina; "and bid her return to
care for our little one."

"Not so," said the emotionless voice; "the Lady Marina hath disproved
her right to care for a noble of Venice. It would be to imperil his
loyalty to leave the child under his mother's influence."

"My God!" cried Marcantonio bitterly; "take me to her and let us die
together--if the Republic may grant us so much grace!"

Again the Doge would have spoken compassionate words, but the other
interp