Leonardo Donato’s eyes quickly scanned the faces of the senators, seeking the two least sympathetic.

“The Senators Morosini and Sagredo will escort them,” he said, “and will return in haste with the Senator Giustiniani to do their duty to the Republic.”

At the door Marina turned again, rallying her failing strength with a last desperate effort, but the words came in a broken, agonized whisper:  “O Santissima Maria Vergine!  Mater Dolorosa! because thou art the special guardian of this Virgin City—­and here, in her councils, none of thy reverend fathers may plead for thee—­be merciful, Madre Beatissima!  Save us from our doom!”

XIX

As the door closed upon the retreating cortege the attitude of the Doge grew stern.  He turned as if about to address the still standing Senate, when, remembering that he had already assumed the initiative to an unusual degree, and having so recent a recollection of that formidable coronation oath whose slightest infraction would be visited upon his nearest of kin, he mounted in silence to his seat and consulted with his Councillors until the senators were in their places.  Then, in a tone of authority, he proclaimed: 

“That which hath just occurred within this hall of the Senate shall be for those who have witnessed it as if it had not been, and the secretaries of the day shall not transcribe it upon their records, since it hath already more than sufficiently consumed our time.  This vision of the lady was doubtless wrought by unwise tampering, being a vision of a nature that may gain credence with women—­dependent and timid and unversed in law—­but with which men and rulers have nothing to do.”

An expression of relief slowly grew upon the faces before him while the Doge was speaking; noting which his words were allowed to produce their full effect during the few moments of relaxation and informal talk, which, as was immediately announced by a secretary, would occupy the time until the return of the three senators—­all meanwhile keeping their seats that no moment might be lost in resuming the important interrupted debate.

The strain had been so great, both during the discussion and the visit of the Lady Marina, that there was a willingness among the senators to unbend, to throw aside serious impressions and make light of all dread, as womanish and weak, accepting the Doge’s words as leaders.  For in those days the faith of many of the gravest walked only a little way from the borderland of superstition; and it was long since any of their princes had held so great a reputation for judgment and diplomacy as Leonardo Donato.

“The Senate now being complete,” the Doge solemnly announced, immediately upon the return of the three senators, “the interrupted speech will be concluded, and before the final vote is taken there will be presented once more before this august body that argument of our most learned and venerated Counsellor, Padre Maestro Paolo, upon which the decision of the Ten hath been based, and upon which the College, the Senate, and the Great Council will presently be called to vote.”