everything, and because--because God sent the love and the Madonna hath
made me feel that it would be sweet, I granted him only this--my
portrait--because he pleaded so one could not resist; and because he
said it would win the consent of all to see that he treated me like a
queen!"

"Nay; one comes not in secret to steal the love of a queen."

"My father," answered the maiden proudly, for he had drawn away from
her, "there is no stealing of that which I would gladly yield him, if it
were thy pleasure and that of the Ca' Giustiniani! And there would have
been no secret; but I--to spare thee pain of knowing that I suffered--I
would not let him come to plead with thee."

"Why shouldst thou suffer?"

"It is hard to lose thy love when only I told thee not because I would
spare thee pain! Father--I have only thee!" Her courage broke in a quick
sob.

"Nay, then--nay, then," he faltered softly, stroking her bowed head; "he
is no man to love, if he would let thee suffer; he should take
thee--before them all--if he would be worthy----"

The low, intense, interrupted words were a brave surrender.

"Ay, my father, it is like Marco to hear thee speak!"

"Then let him come and make thee Lady of the Giustiniani, like a true
knight!" exclaimed the old man fiercely.