"I wished it so," he answered impatiently, for he could not wait. "And
the face----"

"Never hath there been a more exquisite! It is the Titian's work?"

"Nay, of the Veronese; for the goblet is of mine own designing. And the
master, for my sake, hath spent himself upon the face."

"He will be here to-night, and we will thank him," she answered
graciously. "And for thee--thou hast excelled thyself."

But Marcantonio answered nothing to her praise; his eyes were fixed upon
the miniature of the Veronese.

"If Paolo Cagliari findeth none so beautiful among the noble damigelle
who will grace thy fête to-night as this face which he hath painted, we
will forgive him," she said playfully. "But thee, Marco, we will not
forgive. The time hath come when thou shouldst choose; thy father and I
have spoken of this."

She came close to him and folded his hand caressingly. "The Contessa
Beata Tagliapietra hath a wonderful charm; and there is the Lady
Agnesina Contarini--a face for a Titian!"

"Mother! I pray thee----" Marcantonio interrupted.

"Nay, Marco--to-day it is fitting; for thy wedding should follow soon
upon this fête. Thou art no longer a boy, and Venice looks to us to help
thee choose a fitting bride; for there is none other of this generation