The chivalry and grace of the young noble elicited a murmur of approbation, as he courteously indicated his friend.
The Veronese, to whom this dénouement was unexpected, and who had long since been crowned with highest honors by the Republic, did not move forward, but, acknowledging the tribute of his pupil with a genial smile, he stood with folded arms, unembarrassed and commanding, scanning the faces of the assembly, well pleased with the effect produced by the words of Marcantonio, whom, at all hazards, he intended to befriend. He realized that the atmosphere might never be so favorable.
\"The crowning grace of that goblet, my Lords of Venice,\" he said boldly, \"is lent it by the face of the most beautiful maiden it hath ever been my fortune to paint—than whom Venice hath none more charming.\"
There was a murmur of surprise from the younger nobles, who were standing in groups about the hall of the Gran'''' Consiglio; they had supposed the face to be merely a dainty conceit of the artist''''s fancy, and those nearest gathered about the case with sudden interest.
But the face of Marcantonio betrayed him, while he stood unabashed in the circle of the senators, though with mounting color, his hand, under shelter of his cloak, resting upon the jeweled hilt of the sword upon which he had sworn his first knightly vow.
Giustinian Giustiniani rose to his feet. \"Her name, Messer Paolo But it was the young Giustinian who answered to the challenge—\"Marina Magagnati!\" with an unconscious reverence, as he confessed his lady''''s name.
\"Is no face found fair enough among all the palaces on the Canal Grande to charm thy fastidious fancy?\" cried the angry father, losing all self-control. \"It were fitter that the name of thine inamorata were first declared elsewhere than in this presence!\"
\"Not so, my father,\" Marcantonio replied, undaunted. \"For I first would ask a grace of our most illustrious Signoria,—the which may it indeed please them to grant,—or never shall I bring a bride to the Ca'''' Giustiniani. As I have sworn a noble''''s oath of allegiance to Venice, so faithfully have I vowed to wed none other than Marina Magagnati! And it is my father who hath taught me to hold sacred the faith of a Venetian and a Giustinian. But my lady is not called of noble blood.\"
\"She is daughter to Messer Girolamo Magagnati,\"—it was the Veronese who spoke,—\"than whom, in all Murano, is none better reputed for the fabrics of his stabilimento, nor more noble in his bearing; albeit, he is of the people—as I also, Paolo Cagliari, am of the people.\"
The words had a ring of scorn; the Veronese folded his arms again and looked defiantly around him—a splendid figure, with the jeweled orders of France and Rome and the Republic flashing on his breast. His gaze slowly swept the faces of the assembly, then returned to rest upon the great votive picture which filled the wall from end to end above the Doge''''s throne— his work —like the glory of the ceiling, which declared the artist noble by genius, if not by birth. \"I also am of the people!\" he repeated, in a tone that seemed a challenge.
\"Most Illustrious Signoria!\" cried Marcantonio; \"once, in the history of our Republic, hath it pleased this most gracious Senate to declare its favor to a daughter of a master-worker of Murano, in a decree whereby it was provided that the maid should wed a noble of most ancient house, and if there should be children of the marriage, each name should stand unprejudiced, with those of the nobles of Venice, in the ''''Libro d''''Oro.'''' If I have found favor in your sight—I beseech you—that which the Senate hath once decreed is again possible.\"
The senators looked at each other in consternation, awed at the boldness of the petition and the wit of its presentation.
The young patrician slowly ascended the steps of the dais, and closed his appeal with an obeisance to the Doge, full of dignity.
The Councillors who sat beside the Doge were holding grave discussion, for the few words of the young noble had touched upon weighty points; they had been presented with a simplicity which veiled their diplomatic force; he was a man of growing power who must be bound to the service of Venice, even were he not the last of a princely line which the Republic would fain see continued to her own latest generation. So unabashed in such a presence, he would be tenacious of his purpose and hold to his vow with unflinching knightliness.
Venice and his lady were included in his sworn allegiance, and to seek to make them rivals would be a danger for the Republic.