His state was laid aside for lighter ease and
personal freedom. The monk could not have chosen a happier moment for
his object, since the man was undefended by the usual appliances of his
rank, and he was softened by communion with one who had known how to
mould and temper the feelings of his readers at will. So entire was the
abstraction of the Doge, at the moment, that the usher entered unheeded,
and had stood in respectful attention to his sovereign's pleasure, near
a minute before he was seen.
"What would'st thou, Marco?" demanded the prince, when his eye rose from
the page.
"Signore," returned the officer, using the familiar manner in which
those nearest to the persons of princes are permitted to indulge--"here
are the reverend Carmelite, and the young girl, in waiting."
"How sayest thou? a Carmelite, and a girl!"
"Signore, the same. Those whom your Highness expects."
"What bold pretence is this!"
"Signore, I do but repeat the words of the monk. 'Tell his Highness,'
said the father, 'that the Carmelite he wishes to see, and the young
girl in whose happiness his princely bosom feels so parental an
interest, await his pleasure.'"
There passed a glow, in which indignation was brighter than shame, over
the wasted cheek of the old prince, and his eye kindled.
"And this to me--even in my palace!"
"Pardon, Signore. This is no shameless priest, like so many that
disgrace the tonsure.
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