pearls are superb--they will almost frighten Marina. Later thou wilt
give them to her. Mother, dearest, let me take this rose which thou hast
worn, with thy little word of love--sweet mother----"

"They are fit for a princess, Marco," she said, still toying with the
pearls, apparently unheeding his request; "I chose them with that
thought--since they are for thy bride."

"And she will wear them worthily," Marcantonio answered, flushing, "and
like a queen, for none hath greater dignity, else could I not have
chosen her--I, who have learned a lady's grace by thee, my mother!"

She drew him to her with sudden emotion, for these days had been very
hard for her. "My boy--my boy! Does she love thee well for all thy faith
and devotion--for all that we are yielding her?"

"Madre mia, thou shalt see, if thou wilt let me take thee to her!"

"I had not thought--" she said, and stopped. "Would she not come with
thee?"

Marcantonio walked suddenly away to a window and stepped out on the
balcony for a breath of air; he was beginning to comprehend the under
side of his great joy, and it had come with a shock, on this very day
which he had thought would have been filled with a rush of gladness. He
grasped the cool marble of the parapet and tried to reason with himself;
he suddenly foresaw that many days of reasoning had entered into his
life, and always he must be ready to meet them with cool wisdom, since
enthusiasm was one-visioned. It was like taking a vow against youth, but
he himself had chosen it for his lot in life; his love was not less to