Chapter 12: In Mocenigo's Power.

It was fully an hour before Polani was recalled to the council chamber. He saw at once, by the flushed and angry faces of some of the council, that the debate had been a hot one. At this he was not surprised, for he knew that the friends and connections of Ruggiero Mocenigo would vehemently oppose the suggestion he had made.

The doge announced the decision.

"The council thank you for your suggestion, Signor Polani, and have resolved, by a majority, to confer upon Messer Francisco Hammond the high honour of placing his name upon the list of the citizens of Venice, without requiring from him the oaths of allegiance to the state. As such an honour has never before been conferred, save upon personages of the highest rank, it will be a proof of the gratitude which Venice feels towards one who has done her such distinguished service. The decree to that effect will be published tomorrow."

The merchant retired, highly gratified. The honour was a great and signal one, and the material advantages considerable. The fact that Francis was a foreigner had been the sole obstacle which had presented itself to him, in associating him with his business, for it would prevent Francis from trading personally with any of the countries in which Venetian citizens enjoyed special advantages.

Francis was immensely gratified, when he heard from the merchant of the honour to be conferred upon him. It was of all others the reward he would have selected, had a free choice been given him, but it was so great and unusual an honour, that he could indeed scarcely credit it when the merchant told him the result of his interviews with the council. The difficulty which his being a foreigner would throw in the way of his career as a merchant in Eastern waters, had been frequently in his mind, and would, he foresaw, greatly lessen his usefulness, but that he should be able to obtain naturalization, without renouncing his allegiance to England, he had never even hoped. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Did anyone have to wait long?
2. Who?
3. How long he had to wait?
4. Who were he meeting?
5. Did they look friendly?
6. Who did he thing would be against him?
7. Did the council make a decision?
8. Did give some previledge to someone?
9. Whom?
10. When the verdict will be made public?
11. Who was happy about it?
12. Who was a hindrance to him?
13. Was it about the people of Venice?
14. What title Francis would get?
15. Was he suprised about the outcome?
16. Did he have problem without this title?
17. Was it something do about his business?
18. Where he was originally from?
19. Did he have to forgo that citizenship?
20. Was all these a great surprise to him?
Answer: 1. yes
2. Polani
3. an hour
4. the council
5. no
6. he friends of Ruggiero Mocenigo
7. yes
8. yes
9. Messer Francisco Hammond
10. tomorrow
11. Polani
12. Francis
13. yes
14. citizen
15. yes
16. yes
17. yes
18. England
19. no
20. yes

question: CHAPTER XXXII.

HOW KING WILLIAM TOOK COUNSEL OF A CHURCHMAN.

If Torfrida was exhausted, so was Hereward likewise. He knew well that a repulse was not a defeat. He knew well the indomitable persistence, the boundless resources, of the mastermind whom he defied; and he knew well that another attempt would be made, and then another, till--though it took seven years in the doing--Ely would be won at last. To hold out doggedly as long as he could was his plan: to obtain the best terms he could for his comrades. And he might obtain good terms at last. William might be glad to pay a fair price in order to escape such a thorn in his side as the camp of refuge, and might deal--or, at least, promise to deal-- mercifully and generously with the last remnant of the English gentry. For himself yield he would not: when all was over, he would flee to the sea, with Torfrida and his own housecarles, and turn Viking; or go to Sweyn Ulfsson in Denmark, and die a free man.

The English did not foresee these things. Their hearts were lifted up with their victory, and they laughed at William and his French, and drank Torfrida's health much too often for their own good. Hereward did not care to undeceive them. But he could not help speaking his mind in the abbot's chamber to Thurstan, Egelwin, and his nephews, and to Sigtryg Ranaldsson, who was still in Ely, not only because he had promised to stay there, but because he could not get out if he would.
1. Who's hearts were lifted?
2. With what?
3. What was funny?
4. What did they drink to?
5. Did they drink a lot?
6. How much?
7. Who was tired?
8. Anyone else?
9. Who?
10. Were they defeated?
11. Would they try again?
12. How long?
13. What would be won?
14. What was his scheme?
15. What did he want to get?
16. Who was expected to pay?
17. How much?
18. For what?
19. Where would he go?
****
answer:
1. English
2. victory
3. William
4. Torfrida's health
5. yes
6. much too often
7. Torfrida
8. Yes
9. Hereward
10. No
11. Yes
12. seven years
13. Ely
14. To hold out as long as he could
15. good terms
16. William
17. a fair price
18. to escape
19. Sweyn Ulfsson