“Yet one thing remaineth, most esteemed Messer Magagnati, by which this Republic would testify her appreciation of such loyalty and forethought, by reason of which—­as for the esteem in which this Republic hath ever held the ancient house of Magagnati, which from the earliest times hath been foremost in our industry of Murano—­we propose to confer nobility upon thine house, and to give thee an immediate seat of right in the Maggior Consiglio.”

The honor was so unexpected that the body of grave Councillors had risen in congratulation before Girolamo Magagnati could frame other response than his profound and grave obeisance.

But there was no hint of indecision in the deep, measured tones with which he made reply: 

“Most Serene Prince and Lords of the Council, I beg you to believe in my deep appreciation of the honor you would bestow.  But let it rather be said of me that I—­being still of the people, as all of my house from the commencement of this Republic have ever been—­have yet received such favor of my Prince that he accepts from one of the people this token of loyal service to the government.  And more I ask not.”

“Also,” he proceeded calmly, taking no note of the consternation on the faces of his auditors, “is it not fitting for old men to receive favors from children, rather for them to bestow—­as I, this galley, in the name of the boy; the which—­were I to accept in return the munificence of the Senate—­would be the offering of my galley as so much base coin, wherewith to purchase an honor not mine by birth.  Let it not be said in scorn that Girolamo Magagnati hath bought the nobility with which his birth hath failed to endow him!”

“Is it better, Messer Magagnati, that some should now say ’it is for arrogance that this noble son of the people refuses a seat among the nobles of Venice’?” the Doge questioned coldly.

“Not so, Most Serene Prince; each man is rather noble if, in that place which God hath assigned him, he doeth nobly the duty belonging thereto; as ye, my Lords, Nobles, and Councillors of the Republic, each in the seat appointed you by birth, serve, without wearying, the interests of Venice.  I am already old and the last of my race, for those of my blood who come after me, by the favor of Venice, are inscribed in the ’Libro d’Oro.’  If I have deserved aught of your bounty, be gracious when some right of the people is in danger of being forgotten; and let my grandson, among the nobles, ever serve nobles and people alike—­as Venetians—­without distinction of interests.  But let me die as I have lived, among the workmen of Murano—­Magagnati, of the Venetian people.”