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To provide Marina with companionship, Piero had confided her intended flight to the Lady Beata Tagliapietra, being sure of her devotion; and she would be waiting for them at Padua with two trusted gondoliers and whatever might be needful from the wardrobe of the Lady of the Giustiniani.
When they had undressed her to apply restoratives a small, rough crucifix had been taken from the folds of her robe near her heart; it had belonged to Santa Beata Tagliapietra, that devoted daughter of the Church, and the Lady Beata herself had given the precious heirloom out of the treasures of the chapel of their house to her beloved Lady Marina.
It seems that one of the most devoted worshippers in this minute temple was the little Contessa Tagliapietra, whose home was on the other side of the Grand Canal. Her one pleasure was to retire to this church and make her devotions: a habit which so exasperated her father that one day he issued a decree to the gondoliers forbidding them to ferry her across.
"Messer Gastaldo," said the secretary suavely, "it hath pleased those who have ever the welfare of Venice at heart to provide for the most noble Lady of the Giustiniani an escort which better fitteth her rank than the size of thy barchetta permitteth, and a dwelling more honorable than the 'Osteria del Buon Pesce, where, in company of the Lady Beata Tagliapietra, she hath passed the night."
There was a little shriek of discomfiture as they suddenly perceived the young lord of the day, but the Contessa Beata Tagliapietra came saucily toward him as he was escaping. "The Lady Laura hath charged me to ask the Signor Marcantonio whether the garlands be disposed according to his liking."
The time hath come when thou shouldst choose; thy father and I have spoken of this." She came close to him and folded his hand caressingly. "The Contessa Beata Tagliapietra hath a wonderful charm; and there is the Lady Agnesina Contarini a face for a Titian!" "Mother! I pray thee " Marcantonio interrupted. "Nay, Marco to-day it is fitting; for thy wedding should follow soon upon this fête.
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