“Lady, a ready wit has helped you to the explanation.  That illustrious patrician is released from his cherished and well acquitted duties.  To-morrow new guardians will be charged with the care of your prized person, and will continue their honorable trust, until the wisdom of the Senate shall have formed for you such an alliance, as shall not disparage a noble name and qualities that might adorn a throne.”

“Am I to be separated from those I love?” demanded Violetta impetuously.

“Trust to the Senate’s wisdom.  I know not its determination concerning those who have long dwelt with you, but there can be no reason to doubt its tenderness or discretion.  I have now only to add, that until those charged anew with the honorable office of your protectors shall arrive, it will be well to maintain the same modest reserve in the reception of visitors as of wont, and that your door, lady, must in propriety be closed against the Signor Gradenigo as against all others of his sex.”

“Shall I not even thank him for his care?”

“He is tenfold rewarded in the Senate’s gratitude.”

“It would have been gracious to have expressed my feelings towards the Signor Gradenigo in words; but that which is refused to the tongue will be permitted to the pen.”

“The reserve that becomes the state of one so favored is absolute.  St. Mark is jealous where he loves.  And, now my commission is discharged, I humbly take my leave, flattered in having been selected to stand in such a presence, and to have been thought worthy of so honorable a duty.”

As the officer ceased speaking and Violetta returned his bows, she fixed her eyes, filled with apprehension, on the sorrowful features of her companions.  The ambiguous language of those employed in such missions was too well known to leave much hope for the future.  They all anticipated their separation on the morrow, though neither could penetrate the reason of this sudden change in the policy of the state.  Interrogation was useless, for the blow evidently came from the secret council, whose motives could no more be fathomed than its decrees foreseen.  The monk raised his hands in silent benediction towards his spiritual charge, and unable, even in the presence of the stranger, to repress their grief, Donna Florinda and Violetta sank into each other’s arms, and wept.

In the mean time the minister of this cruel blow had delayed his departure, like one who had a half-formed resolution.  He regarded the countenance of the unconscious Carmelite intently, and in a manner that denoted the habit of thinking much before he decided.

“Reverend Father,” he said, “may I crave a moment of your time, for an affair that concerns the soul of a sinner?”

Though amazed, the monk could not hesitate about answering such an appeal.  Obedient to a gesture of the officer, he followed him from the apartment, and continued at his side while the other threaded the magnificent rooms and descended to his gondola.