the stars
than of studying the enigmatic turnings and windings of statecraft; he
knew better how to duly order an Easter procession than how to lead an
army to battle. The desideratum now was the choice of a Doge who should
possess both the generalship and the diplomatic skill necessary to
rescue Venice from the clutches of her enemy, more daring every day and
hour. The Senators met; but nothing was seen save troubled faces, eyes
fixed on the ground, and heads leaned on the hand. Where should a man
be found capable of grasping the helm with vigorous, strenuous hand,
and steering the vessel of the State safe through the storm?

"'At length the oldest of the senators, Marino Bodoeri, began to speak.

"'"Here," he said, "around us or about us, he is not to be found. But
turn your eyes to Avignon, to Marino Falieri, whom we sent to
congratulate Pope Innocent on his election. He might be better employed
now. If we make him Doge he will weather this storm. You will say he is
well on to his eightieth year, with his hair and his beard turned to
silver; that his vigorous aspect, his gleaming eyes, and the rosy tint
of his nose and cheeks are due (as evil tongues choose to say) more to
good Cyprus wine than to toughness of constitution. What matter!
Remember the brilliant courage he displayed when he was Proveditor of
the Black Sea Fleet. Think of the deserts which moved the procurators
of San Marco to reward him with the rich Countship of Valdemarino."

"'Thus did Bodoeri paint Falieri's merits in the most brilliant
colours, and refute, in advance, all objections to him, till every vote
was at length given in his favour. It is true many had a good deal to
say of his violent temper, his lust for power, and his self-will. But
on the other hand it was urged, "It is because all _that_ has, in his
old age, passed away from him that we choose the aged--not the
youthful--Falieri." Hostile voices such us these fell silent as soon as
the populace, on hearing of his election, broke forth into boundless
rejoicing. In time of danger, disquiet, and anxiety, any decision, so
long as it is a decision, is looked upon as a divine inspiration.

"'So the "dear little Count," with all his gentleness and kindliness,
was clean forgotten, and everybody cried:

"'"By Saint Mark, this Marino ought to have been our Doge long ago; and
then we should not have had this presumptuous Doria upon our
shoulders." And maimed soldiers held up their arms, and c