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our state inquisitors, of t e College of Ten, and of all their legions of spies and sbirri; whose very name strikes terror into the hearts of the bravest Venetians, and from whose dagger I myself am not safe upon my throne! I know well, Flodoardo, how much I ask; but I know also how much I proffer. You seem irresolute ? You are silent? Flodoardo, I have long watched you with attention; I have discovered in you marks of a superior genius, and therefore am I induced to make such a demand. If any one is able to cope with Abellino, thou art the man. I wait your answer."

Flodoardo paced the chamber in silence. Dreadful was the enterprise proposed: woe to him should Abellino discover his purpose! But Rosabella was the reward! He cast a look on the beloved one, and resolved to risk every thing.

He advanced towards the doge.

Andreas. "Now, then, Flodoardo, your resolution ?" Flodoardo." Should I deliver Abellino into your power, do you solemnly swear that Rosabella shall be my bride?" Andreas." She shall; and not till then."

Rosabella "Ah, Flodoardo, I fear this undertaking will end fatally. Abellino is so crafty - so dreadful. Oh, look well to yourself, for should you meet with this detested monster, whose dagger

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Flodoardo (interrupting her hastily). “Oh, silence, Rosabella! at least allow me to hope!- Noble Andreas, give me your hand, and pledge your princely word, that Abellino once in your power, nothing shall prevent me from being Rosabella's husband."

Andreas. "I swear it; deliver into my power, either alive or dead, this most dangerous foe of Venice, and nothing shall prevent Rosabella from being your wife. pledge of which I here give you my princely hand."

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Flodoardo grasped the doge's hand in silence, and shook it thrice. He turned to Rosabella, and seemed on the point of addressing her, when he suddenly turned away, struck his forehead, and measured the apartment with disordered and unsteady steps. The clock in the tower of St. Mark's church struck five.

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"Time flies!" cried Flodoardo ; 66

no more delay then.

In four-and-twenty hours will I produce in this very palace this dreaded bravo, Abellino."

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Andreas shook his head. 66 Young man," said he, less confident in your promises; I shall have more faith in your performance."

Flodoardo (serious and firm). "Let things terminate as they may, either I will keep my word, or never again will cross the threshold of your palace. I have discovered some traces of the miscreant, and I trust that I shall amuse you to-morrow, at this time and in this place, with the representation of a comedy; but should it prove a tragedy instead, God's will be done."

Andreas. "Remember, that too much haste is dangerous: rashness will destroy even the frail hopes of success, which you may reasonably indulge at present."

Flodoardo. "Rashness, my lord? he who has lived as I have lived, and suffered what I have suffered, must have been long since cured of rashness."

Rosabella (taking his hand). “ Yet be not too confident of your own strength, I beseech you! Dear Flodoardo, my uncle loves you, and his advice is wise! Beware of Abellino's dagger!"

Flodoardo." The best way to escape his dagger is not to allow him time to use it: within four-and-twenty hours must the deed be done, or never. Now then, illustrious prince, I take my leave of you; to-morrow I doubt not to convince you that nothing is too much for love to venture.” Andreas. "Right; to venture; but to achieve?" Flodoardo. "Ah! that must depend He paused suddenly; again his eyes were fastened eagerly on those of Rosabella; and it was evident that with every moment his uneasiness acquired fresh strength. He resumed his discourse to Andreas with a movement of impatience.

"Noble Andreas" said he, " do not make me dispirited; rather let me try whether I cannot inspire you with more confidence of my success. I must first request you to order a splendid entertainment to be prepared. At this hour in the afternoon of to-morrow let me find all the principal persons in Venice, both men and women, assembled in this

chamber; for, should my hopes be realised, I would willingly have spectators of my triumph. Particularly, let the venerable members of the College of Ten be invited, in order that they may at last be brought face to face with this terrible Abellino, against whom they have so long been engaged in fruitless warfare."

Andreas (after eyeing him some time with a look of mingled surprise and uncertainty). They shall be present."

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Flodoardo." I understand, also, that since Conari's death you have been reconciled to the Cardinal Gonzaga; and that he has convinced you how unjust were the prejudices with which Conari had inspired you against the nobili Parozzi, Contarino, and the rest of that society. During my late excursions I have heard much in praise of these young men, which makes me wish to show myself to them in a favourable light. If you have no objection, let me beg you to invite them also."

Andreas. "You shall be gratified."

Flodoardo." One thing more, which had nearly escaped my memory. Let no one know the motive of this entertainment, till the whole company is assembled. Then let guards be placed around the palace, and indeed it may be as well to place them even before the doors of this saloon; for in truth this Abellino is such a desperate villain, that too many precautions cannot be taken against him. The sentinels must have their pieces loaded; and, above all things, they must be strictly charged, on pain of death, to let every one enter, but no one quit, the chamber."

Andreas. "All this shall be done punctually."

Flodoardo. "I have nothing more to say. Noble Andreas, farewell. Rosabella, to-morrow, when the clock

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strikes five, we shall meet again, or never!”

He said, and rushed out of the apartment. Andreas shook his head; while Rosabella sank upon her uncle's bosom, and wept bitterly.

CHAPTER III.

66

THE MIDNIGHT MEETING.

"VICTORY!" shouted Parozzi as he rushed into the Cardinal Gonzaga's chamber, where the chief conspirators were all assembled ; our work goes on bravely! Flodoardo returned this morning to Venice, and Abellino has already received the required sum.”

Gonzaga. "Flodoardo does not want talents; I had rather he should live and join our party. He is seldom off his guard.”

Parozzi. "Such vagabonds may well be cautious; they must not forget themselves who have so much to conceal from others."

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Falieri. Rosabella, as I understand, by no means sees this Florentine with unfavourable eyes."

Parozzi. "Oh, wait till to-morrow, and then he may make love to the devil and his grandmother, if he likes it. Abellino by that time will have wrung his neck round, I warrant you!"

Contarino." It is strange that, in spite of all enquiries, I can learn but little at Florence respecting this Flodoardo. My letters inform me that some time ago there did exist a family of that name; but it has been long extinct, or if any of its descendants are still in being, at Florence their existence is quite a secret.”

Gonzaga. "Are you all invited to the doge's to-morrow?" Contarino. "All of us without exception."

Gonzaga. "That is well; it seems that my recommendations have obtained some weight with him, since his triumvirate has been removed. And in the evening a masked ball is to be given; did not the doge's chamberlain say so?" Falieri." He did."

Memmo. "I only hope there is no trick in all this.If he should have been given a hint of our conspiracy! Mercy on us, my teeth chatter at the thought."

66

Gonzaga. "Absurd! By what means should our designs have been made known to him? The thing is impossible!" Метто. Impossible? What! when there's scarce a cutpurse, housebreaker, or vagabond in Venice who has not been enlisted in our service, would it be so strange if the doge discovered a little of the business? A secret which is known to so many, how should it escape his penetration?”

"6 Contarino. Simpleton! the same thing happens to him, which happens to betrayed husbands: every one can see the horns except the man who carries them. And yet I confess it is full time that we should realise our projects, and prevent the possibility of our being betrayed.”

Falieri. "You are right, friend; every thing is ready, and now the sooner that the blow is struck the better."

66

Parozzi. Nay, the discontented populace, which at present sides with us, would be perfectly well pleased if the sport began this very night; delay the business longer, and their anger against Andreas will cool, and render them. unfit for our purposes.

Contarino. "Then let us decide the game at once; be to-morrow the important day! Leave the doge to my disposal: I'll at least engage to bury my poniard in his heart, and then let the business end as it may, one of two things must happen; either we shall rescue ourselves from all trouble and vexation, by throwing every thing into uproar and confusion, or else we shall sail with a full wind from this cursed world to another."

Parozzi. "Mark me, friends; we must go armed to the doge's entertainment."

Gonzaga. "All the members of the College of Ten have been particularly invited."

Falieri. "Down with every man of them!"

Memmo. "Ay, ay! Fine talking! but suppose it should turn out to be down with ourselves?""

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Falieri. "Thou white-livered wretch! Stay at home, then, and take care of your worthless existence. But if our attempt succeeds, come not to us to re-imburse you for the sums which you have already advanced. Not a sequin shall be paid you back, depend on't!"

Memmo, "You wrong me, Falieri; if you wish to

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