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It was a name which the people were accustomed to honor. "I Giustiniani!" they shouted.
He was always a welcome visitor at the palazzo Giustiniani, and already the little prince of the household had a special smile for him. "Ah, Fra Francesco, of course!" said Marcantonio, in an indulgent tone; "our own friars and ecclesiastics are welcome.
'He is afraid to see the ghost of Giustiniani, whispered an imprudent bystander. The bridegroom caught the last word, and starting as if he had received a stab, cried: 'Where, where? No one answered; and the ceremony proceeded in ominous gloom.
And the next morning the stately lady of the Giustiniani stood quite alone on the balcony of the great palace at the bend of the Canal Grande, leaning upon her gold-embroidered cushions to watch the gondola that was just landing at the step of the Piazzetta; the restless movements of her tapering jeweled fingers were the only sign of an emotion she rarely betrayed, though doubtless, under the faultless dignity of her bearing, there were often currents of feeling and thwartings hard to be endured.
How should there be a name of all our nobles unknown to me?" "There are nobles of the 'Libro d'Oro, my mother, and nobles of the people, and she is of these." "How canst thou name a mesalliance to me Marcantonio Giustiniani, Nobile di Consiglio on this day, when thou hast given thy vows to Venice! Thou dost forget the traditions of thine house."
He oweth duty to the Republic; and this day, in the Ducal Palace, hath he sworn his oath of allegiance." "First should it have been to thee!" "Ay, first it was to me," she answered serenely; "he would not have it otherwise; it is only my promise that is lacking. This will I not give until the Giustiniani make me welcome, or there would be no happiness for Marco. He shall not lose, in loving me.
"Nay, mother; Venice and the Ca' Giustiniani I am not likely to forget," he answered, with sudden bitterness. "One thing quite other am I much more likely to forget; but for this have I sworn, that which my heart teaches me for noble will I do, and she whom I love will I wed or none other." "Marco!" the word seemed a desperate appeal.
Besides, the gayety seemed to recall in some degree the old, brilliant life of the palace, and at least showed us how well it was adapted to social magnificence and display. We enjoyed our whole year in Palazzo Giustiniani, though some of the days were too long and some too short, as everywhere.
Also, if Ursula were yet free to work her will, the very worst might haply befall him in Venice, by reason that the Giustinianis were of a certainty evil-disposed towards him, and the power and dignity of that family were by no means lessened, although, as at that time Antonio Giustiniani had dishonored his name in Albania, and had been punished by the Forty with imprisonment and sundry penalties.
In order that the family might persist, the sole surviving son, a monk named Niccolò, was temporarily released from his vows to be espoused to the daughter of the Doge, Vitale Michiel. Sufficient sons having been born to them, the father returned to his monastery and the mother sought a convent for herself. In the first of the three Giustiniani palaces Mr.
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