Complex sentence: As the process dragged on, the lovers grew hopeful that they would indeed be united; but just as the request was about to be approved, evidence surfaced about the dishonorable past of Giustiniana's mother, Anna.
Split into simpler sentences: As the process dragged on the lovers grew hopeful that they would indeed be united. But just as the request was about to be approved, evidence surfaced about the dishonorable past of Giustiniana's mother, Anna.