hath need of me in the outer studio for some measurements," he said to
Marcantonio, "but I shall soon return. Do thou, meanwhile, show the
_damigella_ thy sketch."

She turned inquiringly toward Marcantonio, who placed it silently before
her. When he gathered courage to look at her she stood flushed and
trembling with clasped hands.

"Marina!" he cried.

She moved suddenly away from him, drawing herself up to her full height,
one hand slightly extended, as if to keep him from coming nearer; but
her face, as she turned it frankly to his, was lighted with a smile the
Veronese would never copy, and her eyes shone through her tears.

"Is it true, Marina?" he questioned radiantly, as he tried to seize her
hand.

But she still moved backward--not as if she were afraid, but as though
she would help him by a motion to understand.

"You have confessed me unawares," she said, "and shown me mine own
secret, which I knew not. It is not to confess nor deny."

"Yet you move away, Marina, as if you would not have it so."

"Because only the renunciation of it is for us," she answered firmly.
"For I am of the people, and you--of the Giustiniani!"

"As you shall also be!" he affirmed, undaunted.