sordid manner, insomuch that the wife of one of them gave
away to a beggar that came to the door one of those garments of his,
all torn, patched, and dirty as it was. The next day he asked his wife
for that mantle of his, in order to put away the jewels that were sewn
up in it; but she told him she had given it away to a poor man, whom
she did not know. Now, the stratagem he employed to recover it was
this. He went to the Bridge of Rialto, and stood there turning a
wheel, to no apparent purpose, but as if he were a madman, and to all
those who crowded round to see what prank was this, and asked him why
he did it, he answered: 'He'll come if God pleases.' So after two or
three days he recognised his old coat on the back of one of those who
came to stare at his mad proceedings, and got it back again. Then,
indeed, he was judged to be quite the reverse of a madman! And from
those jewels he built in the contrada of S. Giovanni Grisostomo a very
fine palace for those days; and the family got among the vulgar the
name of the _Ca' Million_, because the report was that they had jewels
to the value of a million of ducats; and the palace has kept that name
to the present day--viz., 1566." (_Genealogies_, MS. copy in _Museo
Civico_; quoted also by _Baldelli Boni, Vita_, p. xxxi.)

[24] The Will of the Elder Marco, to which we have several times referred,
is dated at Rialto 5th August, 1280.

The testator describes himself as formerly of Constantinople, but now
dwelling in the confine of S. Severo.

His brothers _Nicolo_ and _Maffeo_, if at Venice, are to be his sole
trustees and executors, but in case of their continued absence he
nominates _Jordano Trevisano_, and his sister-in-law _Fiordelisa_ of
the confine of S. Severo.

The proper tithe to be paid. All his clothes and furniture to be sold,
and from the proceeds his funeral to be defrayed, and the balance to
purchase masses for his soul at the discretion of his trustees.

Particulars of money due to him from his partnership with Donato
Grasso, now of Justinople (Capo d'Istria), 1200 _lire_ in all.
(Fifty-two lire due by said partnership to Angelo di Tumba of S.
Severo.)

The above money bequeathed to his son _Nicolo_, living at _Soldachia_,
or failing him, to his beloved brothers _Nicolo_ and _Maffeo_. Failing
them, to the sons of his