Coming forward through the shadow of the doorway, the young noble—deferent, masterful, unrenouncing—was a suitor not easily to be baffled by any claims of Venice.
Girolamo turned quickly to his child, then looked away, for her face made a radiance in the room; he, her father, who had loved her through all the days of her maiden life with a great tenderness, had never known the fullness of her beauty until now; the soft folds of the simple robe flowing away from her into the surrounding shadow left the pure young charm of her head and face in luminous relief, as the brilliant young noble, in embroidered velvet and silken hose and jeweled clasps—a type of sumptuous modern day Venice—stepped forward into the little circle of light, bowing before her with courtly deference.
The vision of those youthful faces made it easy to forget the outward contrast—a mere accident of birth.
Girolamo Magagnati had promised himself that he would be a true knight to his beloved child; he would question and prove this bold young noble who claimed, with such presumption, so great a prize—not humbly suing, as he should have done; he would make him tremble and wait; he should learn that his daughter was not to be the more easily won because she was of the people! Then, with the fullness of his vow upon him, and with a heart loving indeed, but brave as proud, he had raised his eyes and beheld a vision in which neither nobles nor people held part—only a maiden, glorified by her love and trust; and a lover—prince or peasant it mattered not—for on his face it was luminously written that in all the world there was for him none other than she. And the vision, like an apprehension of Truth—rare and very beautiful—conquered Girolamo, because he was strong enough to yield.
\"It is but a moment that I have for this dearest claim of the day,\" said Marcantonio Giustiniani, turning to the older man with winning courtesy; \"and sooner should I have come to the father of Marina to crave the grace I cannot do without, but that she bade me tarry. Yet now—she herself hath spoken?\"
He looked from one to the other questioningly.
\"There are no secrets between us,\" Girolamo answered with dignity, while weighing some words that should welcome his daughter''''s suitor with discretion and reserve.
But the maiden broke in timidly: \"And he is not angry, Marco mio!\"
\"Nay, my favor is for him who truly honors my daughter and proves himself worthy; for her happiness is dear to me. But the difficulties are great, as she herself hath told me.\"
\"A little time and there shall be none!\" cried Marcantonio, joyously. \"For to-day, when first I have taken my seat in the Council, not more solemnly have I sworn allegiance to the Republic than I would pray Messer Magagnati to bear me witness that Marina—and none other—will I wed!\"
\"Give him thy hand, my daughter, for thy face confesseth thee; and to-day his lady should grant him so much grace.\"
\"Yet, Marco—for thy sake—I make no vows to thee. Only this will I tell thee,\" she added, in a voice that was very soft and low, as he sealed his lover''''s vow on her fluttering hand. \"For me, also, there is no other!\"
\"And I bring thee a '''' boccolo ,'''' Marina, since thou art of the people and wouldst have me remember all thy traditions,\" he cried gaily. \"Yet this one hath a fragrance like none other that hath ever blossomed on the festa of San Marco—my blessed patron!—for I culled it from the garland which my mother bade her maidens for a token make about the table where thy portrait is displayed.\"
He raised the rosebud to his lips before he placed it in her hand.
\"And the Senator Giustinian Giustiniani?\" Girolamo questioned, in his grave, deep voice, concealing his triumph.
But Marcantonio had already answered to the timid question of Marina''''s eyes, with a ringing tone of assurance.
\"And for my father—we must have courage!\"