again, through
the pages of the chronicle, as it may be wise. She hath not the judgment
to endure it all, being yet scarce more than a child--and with leanings
rather toward Church than State, being over-much under the influence of
the Lady Fiorenza--_over-much_."

The words came with pauses which lent them force, and the new Secretary,
being Senate-trained, lost none of their significance.

"Thine office doth demand discretion," the Chief continued, fixing the
other with his piercing gaze. "One should choose the tale that may best
please--that she may go glad-hearted and with a maiden's fancy."

"Aye, your Excellency--for maids and women are not as men; and facts not
over-gentle may be best untold."

"Nay--not that--not that: but there is time--much time--and for the
present the care shall be to delight."

"It is the office of a courtier, Eccellentissimo; it befools a scholar,"
the Historical Secretary exclaimed with indignation. "There be poets and
romancers who would do it honor, rather than I--who have spent long
years among the records searching for truth, that I may leave a
chronicle to trust."

"And most unworthily, Signor Segretario, if thou hast found no least
trace of the great philosopher Zeno in the ancient city of Cition that
was his birthplace; nor of Homer, that maker of literature, who hath,
perchance, won space enough in the estimate of mankind to be worthy the
brief thought of a child--even of thine--a scholar seeking for truth--he
being the pride of Salamis.

"But the Signoria have never learned the backward step that they should
withdraw an appointment which conferreth unwilling honor," the Chief
concluded coldly. "Thou shalt find some beauty in the legends of the
Cinyradae, or the myths of Aphrodite, in this land of Cyprus where the
goddess rose from the foam of the sea!"

"Were not substance better than froth to train a maid to rule, your
Excellency?"

"Nay, but to _obey_; to _rule_ needeth not teaching."

"But--your Excellency----"

"Signore, foam shall suffice to teach obedience--thou hast heard the
most gracious will of the Senate."

The eyes of the scholar who loved truth better than fortune dropped
baffled; for he could not afford to surrender the favor of the Senate
which promised him means to achieve in his own special field; and he
groaned in spirit while the wide halls of the Frari, with their
treasure of ancient MSS. rose before his mental vision as the most
tempting spot