"I was bidden to lay their desire before thee—if it should be also of thy will, my Mother; it was not a command," he hastened to assure her.
But she had already conquered herself—being strong as proud, and prompt in decision, but ruled above all by her deep affections, and she came back to his side before he had found words with which to propitiate her.
"It was strange to me," she said, "but Venice would be more strange without my boy. Let us go together."
"Thou canst verily bear to leave it all?" he asked when he could trust himself to speak.
Her eyes followed the direction of his motion around the vast hall, then came back to rest upon his face.
"The past is ours," she said, "but not to make us weak. Thy 'might-have-beens' are not less wise for women than for men. I have only thee."
"San Marco atone to thee for thy sacrifice," he cried devoutly.