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THE CLOCK AND
THE KEY
Published February, 1905
THE CLOCK AND THE KEY
CHAPTER I
Our gondola, far out on the lagoon, hardlymoved. But neither Jacqueline nor I, under thered and white striped awning, cared much, andPietro even dared to light a cigarette.
Silver-gray dome, campanile, and spiregleamed through the golden haze that hung overthe enchanted city. A great stillness was overall–only the ripple of Pietro’s lazy oar, andfaintly, very faintly, bells chiming.
“I have dreamed of it,” said Jacqueline.“Only the dreams were such futile things comparedwith the reality. I close my eyes. I openthem quickly. I am afraid it will all be blownaway, vanish in a single moment. But there itis, your dear, dear Venice–the green gardenaway up there; the white Riva, basking in thesunlight; the rosy palace; and the re