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.  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Was someone made to wait quite a long time?
2. Was someone left waiting for awhile?
3. Was there something that took an awfully long time?
Q2:
1. Who had to wait for a long time?
2. Who was made to wait long?
3. Who was left waiting for quite some time?
Q3:
1. How long did Polani have to wait for?
2. For how much time did Polani wait?
3. How long was Polani's wait time?
Q4:
1. Who was Polani meeting with?
2. Who did Polani have a meeting with?
3. Who was Polani going to speak with?
Q5:
1. Did the council seem friendly?
2. Did the council seem like pleasant people to talk to?
3. Did the members of the council seem nice?
Q6:
1. Who did Polani fear would oppose him?
2. Who did Polani imagine would be against him?
3. In Polani's mind, who was probably going to be against him?
Q7:
1. Was a decision made by the council?
2. Did the council come to a decision?
3. Was there a conclusion made by the concil?
Q8:
1. Did someone receive a privileged title?
2. Was a high honor conferred to someone?
3. Did someone receive a distinct privilege from the council?
Q9:
1. Who received the highest honor?
2. Who was the highest honor given to?
3. To whom was the highest honor conferred?
Q10:
1. When will the verdict be released to the public?
2. When will the public learn of the verdict?
3. When is the council's decision to be made public?
Q11:
1. Who felt good about the council's decision?
2. Who was happy with the verdict?
3. Who did the verdict relieve?
Q12:
1. Who was an obstance to Polani?
2. Who did Polani feel was a hindrance?
3. Who posed an obstacle to Polani?
Q13:
1. Did the council's decision concern the people of Venice?
2. Were the people of Venice affected by the council's decision?
3. Did the verdict touch upon the people of Venice?
Q14:
1. What title was being conferred to Messer Francisco Hammond?
2. What title would soon apply to Messer Francisco Hammond?
3. What was Messer Francisco Hammond becoming?
Q15:
1. Did the verdict surprise Messer Francisco Hammond?
2. Was Messer Francisco Hammond relieved by the verdict?
3. Did the verdict come as a bit of a shock to Messer Francisco Hammond?
Q16:
1. Were there any issues with not having the title of citizen for Messer Francisco Hammond?
2. Did not having the title of citizen pose any problems for Messer Francisco Hammond?
3. Was it a problem for Messer Francisco Hammond not to be a citizen?
Q17:
1. Did Messer Francisco Hammond's citizenship problems have to do with his business?
2. Were Messer Francisco Hammond's citizenship issues related to his business?
3. Was his business the source of Messer Francisco Hammond's citizenship troubles?
Q18:
1. Where was Messer Francisco Hammond originally from?
2. What was Messer Francisco Hammond's country of origin?
3. Where was Messer Francisco Hammond born?
Q19:
1. Did Messer Francisco Hammond made to renounce his English citizenship?
2. Did Messer Francisco Hammond have to swear to no longer be an English citizen?
3. Was Messer Francisco Hammond no longer allowed to be an English citizen?
Q20:
1. Did the entirety of the verdict surprise Messer Francisco Hammond?
2. Was Messer Francisco Hammond relieved by all the aspects of the verdict?
3. Did the entire verdict come as a bit of a shock to Messer Francisco Hammond?
