“It cannot be from knowledge, acquired as all men learn, that he taketh this position in such varied sciences,” said the Senator Morosini; “for a life-time doth suffice to few men for such attainment in one field as he hath reached in all.  It must be that the marvel of his mind doth hold some central truth which maketh all science cognate.”

“Else were he not ‘friend and master’ to Galileo of Padua.”

“And it is told that Acquapendente, who hath been summoned by the Signoria to bestow his skill, hath learned of him some matters which he taught in the medical school of Bologna.  The world hath not his equal for learning.”

“By the blessed San Marco!” ejaculated one under his breath, who had been idly leaning on the balustrade, as he crossed himself and looked furtively around to note whether he had been overheard.

But the others of the group, keenly alive to danger, had instantly joined him.

“Was this some new intrigue?” “Was the night not already full with horror?” they questioned of each other, thrilled with dread and superstition.

Dawn was growing over the water, and the gray and oily surface of the lagoon was closely dotted with gondolas, distinct and black in the morning twilight; they came sweeping on from San Nicolo and Castello—­black and red, breast to breast—­gathering impetus as they neared the Piazzetta, in numbers which must have left every traghetto of Venice deserted; Nicolotti and Castellani—­allies, since they never had been friends!  It was some intrigue of the people, or some favor they had come to ask—­to-day, when the Senate might not spare one thought for disorder among the masses!

Weary and overwrought, after their night of sorrowful labor, they looked at each other in consternation.

“It is their gastaldo whom they are come to seek,” a secretary of the Ten confided by inspiration to his Chief, as an old man, wearing the robe of a bancalo, was escorted from the landing by a band of gondoliers with black and crimson sashes, who disappeared under the entrance to the palace courtyard.

“Let him be summoned and honorably discharged; he hath done no harm that may be compared with the disaffection of the traghetti.”

“Rather, let them receive him back, appointed by the Senate to honor, as Condottiere of the border forces”; a second Chief hastened to respond, for the moment was grave, “and the command will most excellently fit the gastaldo.”

“And for the Lady of the Giustiniani, it matters little—­Rome or Venice,” said an old senator, compassionately, as he followed his colleagues into the Council Chamber.  “She hath so spent herself in grieving that she knoweth naught.  For the Senator Marcantonio hath vainly sought to teach her that the interdict hath been lifted; yet even this she comprehendeth not.”

“We are come, your Excellencies, for news of our Gastaldo Grande, whose presence is verily needful for the traghetti,” said the white-haired bancalo, when an audience had been granted him.