Councillors in your presence and unanimously confirmed by them. And they
do unanimously consent to this our ruling in favor of the petition which
hath this day been presented before this Council by the noble
Marcantonio, of the ancient and princely house of Giustinian. Since in
this sixteenth century our Republic, by grace of God and favor of her
Rulers, is not less enlightened than in those earlier days to perceive
when graciousness may promote her welfare, in granting favor to a noble
house which hath ever shown to Venice its valor, its discretion, its
unfailing loyalty."

A cry of exaltation rang through the house like an electric thrill; the
senators started to their feet.

"My life, my faith, my strength--the might of all my house for Venice!"
shouted the young Giustinian, with his sword held high above his head,
like an inspired leader.



XII

The permission of the Maggior Consiglio, under favor of this imperious
government, was equivalent to a command and a public betrothal, and for
a few ecstatic days the heir of the Ca' Giustiniani went about in a
state of exaltation too great to be aware of any home shadows--the
slumbering anger of the Capo of the Ten and an inharmonious atmosphere
wherein each was intensely conscious of an individual estimate of the
great event which touched them all so nearly.

For suddenly the betrothal of this only son of an old patrician family