e been well for the estates and the Casa Cornaro."

"Aye, it would have been well for the Casa Cornaro: better perchance
than this dazzling foreign marriage, and more fortune in it for the
Cornari. For the estates of the Bernardini are princely; and it is well
known in the Senate, though it be uttered in decorous whispers, that the
dower of the charming bride hath left small remainder to her noble
uncle. And Messer Andrea also, is large lender to a king--for war-debts
and the like--Janus having nothing until he had regained his kingdom.
But as well buy a King as a vast estate for one's toy, if one hath the
_zecchini_."

"Thou art verily more a merchant than I had esteemed thee, Messer
Querini, if thou hast no thought in this marriage but for the
_zecchini_--as well those of her uncle Andrea for the maid Caterina, as
those of the Bernardini."

The Signor Querini gave a long, contemptuous sniffle.

"May gold buy a man like our young Senator Bernardini! Nay:--but it is
the fuss and manner of this marriage that turneth me somewhat against
it: and because the father of the Bernardini was in truth my friend.
But Caterina was still a child when a king appeared as suitor, and the
question of the Bernardini was never made; and Marco Cornaro--Marco is a
delighted _magnifico_. _Ebbene_--San Marco might see many of us wise,
old fools choosing a king for a son-in-law, if one came our way to beg
the favor. And Messer Andrea hath it that King Janus is full winsome.
One should not be hard upon Marco Cornaro--it is not the first alliance
that his noble house hath made with royalty. May happy fortune befall
the maid--who is verily charming and of a consummate dignity."

"The King hath sent an embassy, that doeth honor to any royal house, to
bring his bride to Cyprus. His Excellency the Ambassador, Messer Filippo
Podacatharo, is a princely escort; and yesterday when he gave banquet to
the merchants of Venice, all were in admiration at the sumptuousness of
the fleet of Cyprus."

"I would have been there, but some matters of moment for the Bernardini
held me. It is not easy for him to leave Venice, with his vast holdings.
And his father was my friend. I command his galleys to-morrow, which
follow the Bucentoro to the fleet of Cyprus, outside our harbor--San
Marco favor the day!"

VI

When the Senator Bernardini had first made known to his stately
patrician Mother his acceptance of the appointment to Cyprus, she had
met him