Chapter Sixteen
Marietta was forced to wait two days for the convening of the Great Council before she could go to the Palazzo Celano. She would get only one chance to save Elena and she dared not risk Filippo’s appearing at an inopportune moment. An important debate, concerning measures to be taken by the Venetian Navy in view of recent developments in the fighting between the French and the Austrians, would be a lengthy affair that all councillors were expected to attend. It was no problem finding out that the debate would start at four o’clock after earlier meetings of the various committees.
Marietta prepared all she thought she might need. There was a coil of rope to be wound about her waist, a file in case Elena was chained, a sharp knife, a candle and tinderbox, scissors, a small
