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Chioggia.

He admitted that the chances of failure were great. Still, he
maintained that success was possible, and it was better that the
Venetians should die fighting than by hunger.

As the result of his expeditions, he had found that Doria had at least
thirty thousand men, fifty great ships, and from seven to eight hundred
light craft. Moreover his troops were in high spirits, well fed, and
well cared for, and should therefore be, man to man, more than a match
for the starving soldiers of Venice. Nevertheless, there was a
possibility of success, as Zeno would doubtless arrive by the time the
siege had fairly commenced.

After much debate, the council determined that the undertaking should
be attempted. To stir the people to the utmost exertion, the senate, on
the 1st of December, published a decree that the thirty plebeians, who
should most liberally meet the urgent necessities of the state by the
proffer of their persons or estates, should, after peace was made, be
raised to the rank of nobility, and summoned to the great council; that
thirty-five thousand ducats of gold should be distributed annually
among those who were not elected, and their heirs, forever; that any
foreign merchant, who should display peculiar zeal for the cause of the
republic, should be admitted to the full privileges of citizenship; and
that, on the other hand, such Venetians as might endeavour to elude a
participation in the common burdens, and hardships, should be held by
so doing to have forfeited all their civil rights.

Seventy-five candidates came forward. Some offered money, some personal
service or the service of their sons and relatives; some presented
galleys and offered to pay their crews. Immense efforts were made, and
by the 21st of December sixty ships, four hundred boats of all sizes,
and thirty-four war galleys were equipped. The doge, although just
seventy-three years old, signified his wish to assume the supreme
command of the expedition, Pisani acting as his lieutenant and admiral.

During the long weeks the siege continued, Francis saw little of the
Polanis, his duties keeping him constantly near Pisani, with whom he
took such meals as the time would afford, sleeping in his house, in
readiness for instant service. Maria had returned to her father's
house, for her husband was in command of the outpost nearest to the
enemy, and was therefore constantly away from home. Maria's spirits
were higher than ever. She ma