A Golden Book of Venice

strokes, at the designs before her; while her father, feigning absorption in some new drawings which lay

said, suddenly and ste

she steadied the movement of her hand and continued her work.

wered, in a tone charged with irritation. "I also h

nd the pencil strokes came more fa

ont, as he stretched out his hand and arrested her m

he laid down her pencil and, quietly dropping her hands in her lap, she turned to him with a smile

a moment's hesitation, he came arou

a' Giustiniani, for the yo

t she did not tremble now, tho

ather,

ot understand-and i

s between his, which were tightly strained together in a knotted cla

ent her word that he had matter which would occupy him alone, and all day Marina had been heavy-hearted, goi

gh his tone softened a little as he proceede

exhibit of that stabilimento; we all, of the Guild of Murano, were there as always. And foremost among the productions, most marvelous for beauty,

shoulder for an instant, lifting it quickly that she might not feel the sobbi

hat I would not have thee suffer from my pain, that I

e-and for the young noble, Giu

and the Madonna hath made me feel that it would be sweet, I granted him only this-my portrait-because he pleaded s

in secret to steal t

I would gladly yield him, if it were thy pleasure and that of the Ca' Giustiniani! And there would have been

ldst thou

e not because I would spare thee pain! Father-I h

d head; "he is no man to love, if he would let thee suffer;

nterrupted words we

t is like Marco t

y of the Giustiniani, like a true kn

thou and I are not less proud than those of his o

ss; he shall wed thee, and my home is thine; I have e

ssible fate; her face was a study of happiness, tenderness, suffering, and strength; her father wrapped her close in his protecting arms, and thus she co

r," she said at length, very softly. "

nothing to bear! Tho

at means the p

aid-because I would make him no promise until all consented-that he wou

an ancient name, and I have kept it honorable. Pietro, the earliest master of o

nbefitting his noble house; for thou knowest the Giustiniani are like princes in Venice, and Marco is their on

d it have be

ntil the Giustiniani make me welcome, or there would be no happiness for Marco. He shall not lose, in loving me. The Signor Giustinian Giustini

ent. "Never had Giustinian a prouder bride. And already thou hast won my heart for this lo

h the portrait, thou must know the truth; and it would seem unknightly, or as if he feared thy disple

anxious glance at her simple home toilette. "He will pass from thee to m

cannot enter into anything so deep and real. I would rather he should change to-day-if he could be light enough to change. Besides," she f

young noble-deferent, masterful, unrenouncing-was a su

r known the fullness of her beauty until now; the soft folds of the simple robe flowing away from her into the surrounding shadow left the pure young charm of her head and face in luminous relief, as the b

made it easy to forget the outwar

his daughter was not to be the more easily won because she was of the people! Then, with the fullness of his vow upon him, and with a heart loving indeed, but brave as proud, he had raised his eyes and beheld a vision in which neither nobles nor people held part-only a maiden, glorified by he

rning to the older man with winning courtesy; "and sooner should I have come to the father of Marina

one to the othe

ith dignity, while weighing some words that should wel

n timidly: "And he is

proves himself worthy; for her happiness is dear to me. B

I have taken my seat in the Council, not more solemnly have I sworn allegiance to the Republic

hy face confesseth thee; and to-day hi

thee," she added, in a voice that was very soft and low, as he sealed h

gaily. "Yet this one hath a fragrance like none other that hath ever blossomed on the festa of San Marco-my blessed patron!-for

to his lips before he

ni?" Girolamo questioned, in his grav

to the timid question of Marina's e

ather-we must