"Marco, at Venice this is not easy!" The tone was a caress which she
made no effort to withhold, yet he dared not try again to touch her
hand; he already felt her strength.

"None the less, because it is not easy it shall be done. Reach me your
hand, Marina, to prove that you trust my vow."

He was not wont to crave favor so humbly, but a new reverence had
entered into his soul.

She hesitated for a moment, then her words came brokenly, yet with
dignity.

"Marco mio, not yet. Because I am of the people, and because the
others--your father and mother, who are of the nobles, and my father,
who is of the people--may not consent, we will make no vows until this
difficulty is conquered."

"They shall not keep us from it."

She shook her head sadly, but came no nearer. "Will Giustinian
Giustiniani ask a daughter of the people? But Girolamo Magagnati is not
less proud."

"I will return now with thee to Murano. Perhaps thy father will befriend
us."

"No, no; without their consent it would be useless. I think I shall not
tell him--it would be only a grief."