The Bravo of Venice ............................................................................................................................................1

M. G. Lewis............................................................................................................................................1

Matthew Gregory Lewis, who professed to have translated this romance out of the German, very much, I

believe, as Horace Walpole professed to have taken The Castle of Otranto from an old Italian manuscript,

was born in 1775 of a wealthy family. His father had an estate in India and a post in a Government office. His

mother was daughter to Sir Thomas Sewell, Master of the Rolls in the reign of George III. She was a young

mother; her son Matthew was devoted to her from the first. As a child he called her "Fanny," and as a man

held firmly by her when she was deserted by her husband. From Westminster School, M. G. Lewis passed to

Christ Church, Oxford. Already he was busy over tales and plays, and wrote at college a farce, never acted, a

comedy, written at the age of sixteen, The East Indian, afterwards played for Mrs. Jordan's benefit and

repeated with great success, and also a novel, never published, called The Effusions of Sensibility, which was

a burlesque upon the sentimental school. He wrote also what he called "a romance in the style of The Castle

With his mind thus interested in literature of the romantic form, young Lewis, aged seventeen, after a summer

in Paris, went to Germany, settled for a time at Weimar, and, as he told his mother, knocked his brains against

German as hard as ever he could. "I have been introduced," he wrote, in July, 1792, "to M. de Goethe, the

celebrated author of Werter, so you must not be surprised if I should shoot myself one of these fine

mornings." In the spring of 1793 the youth returned to England, very full of German romantic tale and song,

and with more paper covered with wild fancies of his own. After the next Christmas he returned to Oxford.

There was a visit to Lord Douglas at Bothwell Castle; there was not much academic work done at Oxford.

His father's desire was to train him for the diplomatic service, and in the summer of 1794 he went to the

Hague as attache to the British Embassy. He had begun to write his novel of The Monk, had flagged, but was

spurred on at the Hague by a reading of Mrs. Radcliffe's Mysteries of Udolpho, a book after his own heart,

and he wrote to his mother at this time, "You see I am horribly bit by the rage of writing."

The Monk was written in ten weeks, and published in the summer of 1795, before its author's age was twenty.

It was praised, attacked, said by one review to have neither originality, morals, nor probability to recommend

it, yet to have excited and to be continuing to excite the curiosity of the public: a result set down to the

"irresistible energy of genius." Certainly, Lewis did not trouble himself to keep probability in view; he

amused himself with wild play of a fancy that delighted in the wonderful. The controversy over The Monk

caused the young author to be known as Monk Lewis, and the word Monk has to this day taken the place of

the words Matthew Gregory so generally, that many cataloguemakers must innocently suppose him to have

been so named at the font. The author of The Monk came back from the Hague to be received as a young lion

in London society. When he came of age he entered Parliament for Hindon, in Wiltshire, but seldom went to

the House, never spoke in it, and retired after a few sessions. His delight was in the use of the pen; his father,

although disappointed by his failure as a statesman, allowed him a thousand a year, and he took a cottage at

Barnes, that he might there escape from the world to his inkbottle. He was a frequent visitor at Inverary

Castle, and was fascinated by his host's daughter, Lady Charlotte Campbell. Still he wrote on. The musical

drama of The Castle Spectre was produced in the year after The Monk, and it ran sixty nights. He translated

next Schiller's Kabale und Liebe as The Minister, but it was not acted till it appeared, with little success,

some years afterwards at Covent Garden as The Harper's Daughter. He translated from Kotzebue, under the

name of Rolla, the drama superseded by Sheridan's version of the same work as Pizarro. Then came the

acting, in 1799, of his comedy written in boyhood, The East Indian. Then came, in the same year, his first

opera, Adelmorn the Outlaw; then a tragedy, Alfonso, King of Castile. Of the origin of this tragedy Lewis

gave a characteristic account. "Hearing one day," he said, "my introduction of negroes into a feudal baron's

castle" (in The Castle Spectre) "exclaimed against with as much vehemence as if a dramatic anachronism had

been an offence undeserving of benefit of clergy, I said in a moment of petulance, that to prove of how little

consequence I esteemed such errors, I would make a play upon the Gunpowder Plot, and make Guy Faux in

love with the Emperor Charlemagne's daughter. By some chance or other, this idea fastened itself upon me,

To that time in Lewis's life belongs this book, The Bravo of Venice; which was published in 1804, when the

writer's age was twentynine. It was written at Inverary Castle, dedicated to the Earl of Moira, and received

as one of the most perfect little romances of its kind, "highly characteristic of the exquisite contrivance, bold

colouring, and profound mystery of the German school." In 1805 Lewis recast it into a melodrama, which he

It was evening. Multitudes of light clouds, partially illumined by the moonbeams, overspread the horizon,

and through them floated the full moon in tranquil majesty, while her splendour was reflected by every wave

of the Adriatic Sea. All was hushed around; gently was the water rippled by the night wind; gently did the

It was midnight; and still sat a stranger, solitary and sad, on the border of the great canal. Now with a glance

he measured the battlements and proud towers of the city; and now he fixed his melancholy eyes upon the

"Wretch that I am, whither shall I go? Here sit I in Venice, and what would it avail to wander further? What

will become of me? All now slumber, save myself! the Doge rests on his couch of down; the beggar's head

presses his straw pillow; but for ME there is no bed except the cold, damp earth! There is no gondolier so

wretched but he knows where to find work by day and shelter by nightwhile _I_ while _I_Oh!

He began to examine for the twentieth time the pockets of his tattered garments.

He unsheathed his sword; he waved it in the moonshine, and sighed, as he marked the glittering of the steel.

"No, no, my old true companion, thou and I must never part. Mine thou shalt remain, though I starve for it.

Oh, was not that a golden time when Valeria gave thee to me, and when she threw the belt over my shoulder,

I kissed thee and Valeria? She has deserted us for another world, but thou and I will never part in this."

"Pshaw! 'twas not a tear; the night wind is sharp and bitter, and makes the eyes water; but as for

And as he spoke, the unfortunate (for such by his discourse and situation he appeared to be) dashed his

forehead against the earth, and his lips were already unclosed to curse the hour which gave him being, when

he seemed suddenly to recollect himself. He rested his head on his elbow, and sang mournfully the burthen of

"Right," he said to himself; "were I to sink under the weight of my destiny, I should be myself no longer."

At that moment he heard a rustling at no great distance. He looked around, and in an adjacent street, which

the moon faintly enlightened, he perceived a tall figure, wrapped in a cloak, pacing slowly backwards and

"'Tis the hand of God which hath guided him hitheryesI'llI'll BEGbetter to play the beggar in

Venice than the villain in Naples; for the beggar's heart may beat nobly, though covered with rags."

He then sprang from the ground, and hastened towards the adjoining street. Just as he entered it at one end, he

perceived another person advancing through the other, of whose approach the first was no sooner aware than

"What can this mean?" thought our mendicant. "Is yon eavesdropper one of death's unlicensed ministers? Has

he received the retaining fee of some impatient heir, who pants to possess the wealth of the unlucky knave

who comes strolling along yonder, so careless and unconscious? Be not so confident, honest friend! I'm at

He retired further into the shade, and silently and slowly drew near the lurker, who stirred not from his place.

The stranger had already passed them by, when the concealed villain sprang suddenly upon him, raised his

right hand in which a poniard was gleaming, and before he could give the blow, was felled to the earth by the

The stranger turned hastily towards them; the bravo started up and fled; the beggar smiled.

"The honest gentleman who has just taken to his heels stole behind you with true catlike caution, and had

already raised his dagger, when I saw him. You owe your life to me, and the service is richly worth one little

piece of money! Give me some alms, signor, for on my soul I am hungry, thirsty, cold."

"Hence, scurvy companion! I know you and your tricks too well. This is all a concerted scheme between you,

a design upon my purse, an attempt to procure both money and thanks, and under the lame pretence of having

saved me from an assassin. Go, fellow, go! practise these dainty devices on the Doge's credulity if you will;

The wretched starving beggar stood like one petrified, and gazed on the taunting stranger.

"No, as I have a soul to save, signor, 'tis no lie I tell you!'tis the plain truth; have compassion, or I die this

The unfeeling man here drew out a concealed pistol, and pointed it at his preserver.

"Hark you, signor. Buonarotti is your name, I think? I will write it down as belonging to the second scoundrel

He paused for a moment, then continuing in a dreadful voice, "And when," said he, "thou, Buonarotti, shalt

And now rushed the unfortunate wildly through the streets of Venice. He railed at fortune; he laughed and

cursed by turns; yet sometimes he suddenly stood still, seemed as pondering on some great and wondrous

Propped against a column of the Signoria, he counted over the whole sum of his misfortunes. His wandering

"Fate," he at length exclaimed in a paroxysm of despair, "Fate has condemned me to be either the wildest of

adventurers, or one at the relation of whose crimes the world must shudder. To astonish is my destiny.

Rosalvo can know no medium; Rosalvo can never act like common men. Is it not the hand of fate which has

led me hither? Who could ever have dreamt that the son of the richest lord in Naples should have depended

for a beggar's alms on Venetian charity? II, who feel myself possessed of strength of body and energy of

soul fit for executing the most daring deeds, behold me creeping in rags through the streets of this

inhospitable city, and torturing my wits in vain to discover some means by which I may rescue life from the

jaws of famine! Those men whom my munificence nourished, who at my table bathed their worthless souls in

the choicest wines of Cyprus, and glutted themselves with every delicacy which the globe's four quarters

could supply, these very men now deny to my necessity even a miserable crust of mouldy bread. Oh, that is

"Yet will I bear itI will submit to my destiny. I will traverse every path and go through every degree of

human wretchedness; and whate'er may be my fate, I will still be myself; and whate'er may be my fate, I will

still act greatly! Away, then, with the Count Rosalvo, whom all Naples idolised; nownow, I am the beggar

Abellino. A beggarthat name stands last in the scale of worldly rank, but first in the list of the famishing,

Something rustled near him. Abellino gazed around. He was aware of the bravo, whom he struck to the

ground that night, and whom two companions of a similar stamp had now joined. As they advanced, they cast

"It is of me that they are in search," said Abellino; then advanced a few steps, and whistled.

"'Tis he," he could hear one of them say distinctly, and in a moment after they advanced slowly towards him.

Abellino kept his place, but unsheathed his sword. The three unknown (they were masked) stopped a few

"How now, fellow!" quoth one of them; "what is the matter? Why stand you on your guard?"

Abellino.It is as well that you should be made to keep your distance, for I know you; you are certain

Abellino.Hear me! I am a miserable wretch, and starving; give me an alms out of your booty!

A Ruffian.An alms? Ha! ha! ha! By my soul that is whimsical! Alms from us, indeed!Oh, by all

Abellino.Or else give me fifty sequins, and I'll bind myself to your service till I shall have worked out my

Abellino.A starving wretch, the Republic holds none more miserable. Such am I at present; but

hereafterI have powers, knaves. This arm could pierce a heart, though guarded by three breastplates; this

Abellino.In the hope of being paid for it; but though I saved his life, the scoundrel gave me not a single

Abellino.My heart would be within reach of your hands, and your daggers would be as sharp as now.

The three dangerous companions again whispered among themselves for a few moments, after which they

"Come on, then," said one of them, "follow us to our home. It were unwise to talk over certain matters in the

"I follow you," was Abellino's answer, "but tremble should any one of you dare to treat me as a foe.

Comrade, forgive me that I gave your ribs somewhat too hard a squeeze just now; I will be your sworn

"We are on honour," cried the banditti with one voice; "no harm shall happen to you. He who does you an

injury shall be to us as a foe. A fellow of your humour suits us well; follow us, and fear not."

And on they went, Abellino marching between two of them. Frequent were the looks of suspicion which he

cast around him; but no ill design was perceptible in the banditti. They guided him onwards, till they reached

a canal, loosened a gondola, placed themselves in it, and rowed till they had gained the most remote quarter

of Venice. They landed, threaded several bystreets, and at length knocked at the door of a house of inviting

appearance. It was opened by a young woman, who conducted them into a plain but comfortable chamber.

Many were the looks of surprise and inquiry which she cast on the bewildered, halfpleased, halfanxious

Abellino, who knew not whither he had been conveyed, and still thought it unsafe to confide entirely in the

Scarcely were the bravoes seated, when Cinthia (for that was the young woman's name) was again summoned

to the door; and the company was now increased by two newcomers, who examined their unknown guest

"Now, then," cried one of these, who had conducted Abellino to this respectable society, "let us see what you

As he said this he raised a burning lamp from the table, and the light of its flame was thrown full upon

"Lord, forgive me my sins!" screamed Cinthia; "out upon him! what an ugly hound it is!"

She turned hastily round, and hid her face with her hands. Dreadful was the look with which Abellino repaid

"Knave," said one of the banditti, "Nature's own hand has marked you out for an assassincome, prithee be

frank, and tell us how thou hast contrived so long to escape the gibbet? In what gaol didst thou leave thy last

fetters? Or from what galley hast thou taken thy departure, without staying to say adieu?"

Abellino, folding his arms"If I be such as you describe," said he, with an air of authority, and in a voice

which made his hearers tremble, "'tis for me all the better. Whate'er may be my future mode of life, Heaven

can have no right to find fault with it, since it was for that it formed and fitted me."

The five bravoes stepped aside, and consulted together. The subject of their conference is easy to be divined.

After a few minutes they again approached him. One, whose countenance was the most ferocious, and whose

form exhibited the greatest marks of muscular strength, advanced a few paces before the rest, and addressed

"Hear me, comrade. In Venice there exist but five banditti; you see them before you; wilt thou be the sixth?

Doubt not thou wilt find sufficient employment. My name is Matteo, and I am the father of the band: that

sturdy fellow with the red locks is called Baluzzo; he, whose eyes twinkle like a cat's, is Thomaso, an

archknave, I promise you; 'twas Pietrino whose bones you handled so roughly to night; and yon

thicklipped Colossus, who stands next to Cinthia, is named Stuzza. Now, then, you know us alland since

you are a penniless devil, we are willing to incorporate you in our society; but we must first be assured that

"Mark me, knave; the first suspicion of treachery costs you your life. Take shelter in the Doge's palace, and

girdle yourself round with all the power of the Republicthough clasped in the Doge's arms, and protected

by a hundred cannons, still would we murder you! Fly to the high altar; press the crucifix to your bosom, and

even at midday, still would we murder you. Think on this well, fellow, and forget not we are banditti!"

"You need not tell me that. But give me some food, and then I'll prate with you as long as you please. At

present I am starving. Fourandtwenty hours have elapsed since I last tasted nourishment."

Cinthia now covered a small table with her best provisions, and filled several silver goblets with delicious

"If one could but look at him without disgust," murmured Cinthia; "if he had but the appearance of something

human! Satan must certainly have appeared to his mother, and thence came her child into the world with such

a frightful countenance. Ugh! it's an absolute mask, only that I never saw a mask so hideous."

Abellino heeded her not; he placed himself at the table, and ate and drank as if he would have satisfied

himself for the next six months. The banditti eyed him with looks of satisfaction, and congratulated each

If the reader is curious to know what this same Abellino was like, he must picture to himself a young, stout

fellow, whose limbs perhaps might have been thought not illformed, had not the most horrible countenance

that ever was invented by a caricaturist, or that Milton could have adapted to the ugliest of his fallen angels,

entirely marred the advantages of his person. Black and shining, but long and straight, his hair flew wildly

about his brown neck and yellow face. His mouth so wide, that his gums and discoloured teeth were visible,

and a kind of convulsive twist, which scarcely ever was at rest, had formed its expression into an internal

grin. His eye, for he had but one, was sunk deep into his head, and little more than the white of it was visible,

and even that little was overshadowed by the protrusion of his dark and bushy eyebrow. In the union of his

features were found collected in one hideous assemblage all the most coarse and uncouth traits which had

ever been exhibited singly in wooden cuts, and the observer was left in doubt whether this repulsive

physiognomy expressed stupidity of intellect, or maliciousness of heart, or whether it implied them both

"Now, then, I am satisfied," roared Abellino, and dashed the still full goblet upon the ground. "Speak! what

"The first thing," replied Matteo, "the first thing necessary is to give us a proof of your strength, for this is of

"Now, then, Abellino, which of us will you undertake? Whom among us dost thou think that thou canst

"Now, then," cried Abellino, fiercely; "now, then, for the trial. Why come you not on?"

"Fellow," replied Matteo, "take my advice; try first what you can do with me alone, and learn what sort of

men you have to manage. Think you, we are marrowless boys, or delicate signors?"

Abellino answered him by a scornful laugh. Matteo became furious. His companions shouted aloud, and

"To business!" said Abellino; "I'm now in a right humour for sport! Look to yourselves, my lads." And in the

same instant he collected his forces together, threw the gigantic Matteo over his head as had he been an

infant, knocked Struzza down on the right hand, and Pietrino on the left, tumbled Thomaso to the end of the

room head over heels, and stretched Baluzzo without animation upon the neighbouring benches.

Three minutes elapsed ere the subdued bravoes could recover themselves. Loudly shouted Abellino, while the

"By the blood of St. Januarius!" cried Matteo at length, rubbing his battered joints, "the fellow is our master!

"He must have made a compact with the devil!" grumbled Thomaso, and forced his dislocated wrist back into

No one seemed inclined to hazard a second trial of strength. The night was far advanced, or rather the grey

morning already was visible over the sea. The banditti separated, and each retired to his chamber.

Abellino, this Italian Hercules, all terrible as he appeared to be, was not long a member of this society before

his companions felt towards him sentiments of the most unbounded esteem. All loved, all valued him, for his

extraordinary talents for a bravo's trade, to which he seemed peculiarly adapted, not only by his wonderful

strength of body, but by the readiness of his wit, and his never failing presence of mind. Even Cinthia was

Matteo, as Abellino was soon given to understand, was the captain of this dangerous troop. He was one who

carried villainy to the highest pitch of refinement, incapable of fear, quick and crafty, and troubled with less

conscience than a French financier. The booty and price of blood, which his associates brought in daily, were

always delivered up to him: he gave each man his share, and retained no larger portion for himself than was

allotted to the others. The catalogue of those whom he had despatched into the other world was already too

long for him to have repeated it: many names had slipped his memory, but his greatest pleasure in his hour of

relaxation was to relate such of these murderous anecdotes as he still remembered, in the benevolent intention

of inspiring his hearers with a desire to follow his example. His weapons were kept separate from the rest,

and occupied a whole apartment. Here were to be found daggers of a thousand different fashions, WITH

guards and WITHOUT them; two, three, and fouredged. Here were stored air guns, pistols, and

blunderbusses; poisons of various kinds and operating in various ways; garments fit for every possible

disguise, whether to personate the monk, the Jew, or the mendicant; the soldier, the sailor, or the gondolier.

"Mark me," said he, "thou wilt turn out a brave fellow, that I can see already. It is now time that you should

earn that bread for yourself which hitherto you have owed to our bounty. Look! Here thou hast a dagger of

the finest steel; you must charge for its use by the inch. If you plunge it only one inch deep into the bosom of

his foe, your employer must reward you with only one sequin: if two inches, with ten sequins; if three, with

twenty; if the whole dagger, you may then name your own price. Here is next a glass poniard; whomsoever

this pierces, that man's death is certain. As soon as the blow is given, you must break the dagger in the

wound. The flesh will close over the point which has been broken off, and which will keep its quarters till the

day of resurrection! Lastly, observe this metallic dagger; its cavity conceals a subtle poison, which, whenever

you touch this spring, will immediately infuse death into the veins of him whom the weapon's point hath

wounded. Take these daggers. In giving them I present you with a capital capable of bringing home to you

Abellino received the instruments of death, but his hand shook as it grasped them.

"Possessed of such unfailing weapons, of what immense sums must your robberies have made you master!"

"Scoundrel!" interrupted Matteo, frowning and offended, "amongst us robbery is unknown. What? Dost take

us for common plunderers, for mere thieves, cutpurses, housebreakers, and villains of that low, miserable

"Perhaps what you wish me to take you for is something worse; for, to speak openly, Matteo, villains of that

stamp are contented within plundering a purse or a casket, which can easily be filled again; but that which we

take from others is a jewel which a man never has but once, and which stolen can never be replaced. Are we

"Hark ye, Matteo, only one question. At the Day of Judgment, which think you will hold his head highest, the

"Think not that Abellino speaks thus from want of resolution. Speak but the word, and I murder half the

"Fool! know, the bravo must be above crediting the nurse's antiquated tales of vice and virtue. What is virtue?

What is vice? Nothing but such things as forms of government, custom, manners, and education have made

sacred: and that which men are able to make honourable at one time, it is in their power to make

dishonourable at another, whenever the humour takes them; had not the senate forbidden us to give opinions

freely respecting the politics of Venice, there would have been nothing wrong in giving such opinions; and

were the senate to declare that it is right to give such opinions, that which today is thought a crime would be

thought meritorious tomorrow. Then, prithee, let us have no more of such doubts as these. We are men, as

much as the Doge and his senators, and have reasons as much as THEY have to lay down the law of right and

wrong, and to alter the law of right and wrong, and to decree what shall be vice, and what shall be virtue."

"Perhaps you will tell me that your trade is DISHONOURABLE! And what, then, is the thing called

HONOUR! 'Tis a word, an empty sound, a mere fantastic creature of the imagination! Ask, as you traverse

some frequented street, in what honour consists? The usurer will answer'To be honourable is to be rich,

and he has most honour who can heap up the greatest quantity of sequins.' 'By no means,' cries the

voluptuary; 'honour consists in being beloved by a very handsome woman, and finding no virtue proof

against your attacks.' 'How mistaken!' interrupts the general; 'to conquer whole cities, to destroy whole

armies, to ruin all provinces, THAT indeed brings REAL honour.' The man of learning places his renown in

the number of pages which he has either written or read; the tinker, in the number of pots and kettles which

he has made or mended; the nun, in the number of GOOD things which she has done, or BAD things which

she has resisted; the coquette, in the list of her admirers; the Republic, in the extent of her provinces; and

thus, my friend, every one thinks that honour consists in something different from the rest. And why, then,

should not the bravo think that honour consists in reaching the perfection of his trade, and in guiding a dagger

"By my life, 'tis a pity, Matteo, that you should be a bravo; the schools have lost an excellent teacher of

"Do you think so? Why, the fact is thus, Abellino. I was educated in a monastery; my father was a dignified

prelate in Lucca, and my mother a nun of the Ursuline order, greatly respected for her chastity and devotion.

Now, Signor, it was thought fitting that I should apply closely to my studies; my father, good man, would

fain have made me a light of the Church; but I soon found that I was better qualified for an incendiary's torch.

I followed the bent of my genius, yet count I not my studies thrown away, since they taught me more

philosophy than to tremble at phantoms created by my own imagination. Follow my example, friend, and so

Abellino had already passed six weeks in Venice, and yet, either from want of opportunity, or of inclination,

he had suffered his daggers to remain idle in their sheaths. This proceeded partly from his not being as yet

sufficiently acquainted with the windings and turnings, the byelanes and private alleys of the town, and

partly because he had hitherto found no customers, whose murderous designs stood in need of his helping

This want of occupation was irksome to him in the extreme; he panted for action, and was condemned to

With a melancholy heart did he roam through Venice, and number every step with a sigh. He frequented the

public places, the taverns, the gardens, and every scene which was dedicated to amusement. But nowhere

One evening he had loitered beyond the other visitants in a public garden, situated on one of the most

beautiful of the Venetian islands. He strolled from arbour to arbour, threw himself down on the seashore,

"Four years ago," said he, with a sigh, "just such a heavenly evening was it, that I stole from Valeria's lips the

first kiss, and heard from Valeria's lips for the first time the avowal that she loved me."

He was silent, and abandoned himself to the melancholy recollections which thronged before his mind's eye.

Everything around him was so calm, so silent! Not a single zephyr sighed among the blades of grass; but a

"Four years ago could I have believed that a time would come when I should play the part of a bravo in

Venice! Oh, where are they flown, the golden hopes and plans of glory which smiled upon me in the happy

"When my good old father, in the enthusiasm of paternal vanity, so oft threw his arms around my neck, and

cried, 'My boy, thou wilt render the name of Rosalvo glorious!' God, as I listened, how was my blood on fire?

What thought I not, what that was good and great did I not promise myself to do! The father is dead, and the

son is a Venetian bravo! When my preceptors praised and admired me, and, carried away by the warmth of

their feelings, clapped my shoulder, and exclaimed, 'Count, thou wilt immortalise the ancient race of

Rosalvo!' Ha, in those blessed moments of sweet delirium, how bright and beauteous stood futurity before

me! When, happy in the performance of some good deed, I returned home, and saw Valeria hasten to receive

me with open arms, and when, while she clasped me to her bosom I heard her whisper 'Oh, who could forbear

to love the great Rosalvo?' God! oh, God! Away, away, glorious visions of the past. To look on you drives

He was again silent; he bit his lips in fury, raised one emaciated hand to heaven, and struck his forehead

"An assassin, the slave of cowards and rascals, the ally of the greatest villains that the Venetian sun ever

shines upon, such is now the great Rosalvo. Fie, ah, fie on't; and yet to this wretched lot hath fatality

Suddenly he sprang from the ground after a long silence; his eyes sparkled, his countenance was changed; he

"Yes, by Heaven, yes. Great as Count Rosalvo, that can I be no longer; but from being great as a Venetian

bravo, what prevents me? Souls in bliss," he exclaimed, and sank on his knee, while he raised his folded

hands to heaven, as if about to pronounce the most awful oath, "Spirit of my father; spirit of Valeria, I will

not become unworthy of you. Hear me, if your ghosts are permitted to wander near me, hear me swear that

the bravo shall not disgrace the origin, nor render vain the hopes which soothed you in the bitterness of death.

No, sure as I live, I will be the only dealer in this miserable trade, and posterity shall be compelled to honour

He bowed his forehead till it touched the earth, and his tears flowed plenteously. Vast conceptions swelled his

soul; he dwelt on wondrous views, till their extent bewildered his brain; yet another hour elapsed, and he

"I will enter into no compact against human nature with five miserable cutthroats. ALONE will I make the

Republic tremble, and before eight days are flown, these murderous knaves shall swing upon a gibbet. Venice

shall no longer harbour FIVE banditti; ONE and ONE only shall inhabit here, and that one shall beard the

Doge himself, shall watch over right and wrong, and according as he judges, shall reward and punish. Before

eight days are flown, the State shall be purified from the presence of these outcasts of humanity, and then

shall I stand here alone. Then must every villain in Venice, who hitherto has kept the daggers of my

companions in employment, have recourse to me; then shall I know the names and persons of all those

cowardly murderers, of all those illustrious profligates, with whom Matteo and his companions carry on the

trade of blood. And then Abellino! Abellino, that is the name. Hear it, Venice, hear it, and tremble."

Intoxicated with the wildness of his hopes, he rushed out of the garden. He summoned a gondolier, threw

himself into the boat, and hastened to the dwelling of Cinthia, where the inhabitants already were folded in

"Hark, comrade," said Matteo the next morning to Abellino; "today thou shalt make thy first step in our

"Nay, to say truth, 'tis but a woman; but one must not give too difficult a task to a young beginner. I will

"Today, about four o'clock, thou shalt follow me to Dolabella's gardens, which are situated on the south side

of Venice. We must both be disguised, you understand. In these gardens are excellent baths; and after using

the baths, the Doge's niece, the lovely Rosabella of Corfu, frequently walks without attendants. And then

"To the hilt, boy, to the very hilt! Her death is required, and the payment will be princely; Rosabella in the

Every other point was soon adjusted. Noon was now past, the clock in the neighbouring church of the

Benedictines struck four, and Mattes and Abellino were already forth. They arrived at the gardens of

Dolabella, which that day were unusually crowded. Every shady avenue was thronged with people of both

sexes; every arbour was occupied by persons most distinguished in Venice. In every corner sighed lovesick

couples, as they waited for the wished approach of twilight; and on every side did strains of vocal and

Abellino mingled with the crowd. A most respectable looking peruke concealed the repulsive ugliness of his

features; he imitated the walk and manners of a gouty old man, and supported himself by a crutch, as he

walked slowly through the assembly. His habit, richly embroidered, procured for him universally a good

reception, and no one scrupled to enter into conversation with him respecting the weather, the commerce of

the Republic, or the designs of its enemies; and on none of these subjects was Abellino found incapable of

By these means he soon contrived to gain intelligence that Rosabella was certainly in the gardens, how she

Alone, and in the most retired arbour, sat Rosabella of Corfu, the fairest maid in Venice.

Abellino drew near the arbour; he tottered, as he passed its entrance, like one oppressed with sudden

"Alas, alas!" cried he, "is there no one at hand who will take compassion on the infirmity of a poor old man?"

The Doge's fair niece quitted the arbour hastily, and flew to give assistance to the sufferer.

"What ails you, my good father?" she inquired in a melodious voice, and with a look of benevolent anxiety.

Abellino pointed towards the arbour; Rosabella led him in, and placed him on a seat of turf.

"God reward you, lady," stammered Abellino, faintly. He raised his eyes; they met Rosabella's, and a blush

Rosabella stood in silence before the disguised assassin, and trembled with tender concern for the old man's

illness; and oh, that expression of interest ever makes a lovely women look so much more lovely! She bent

her delicate form over the man who was bribed to murder her, and after a while asked him, in gentlest tone,

"Better?" stammered the deceiver, with a feeble voice, "betteroh, yes, yes, yes. Youyou are the Doge's

"Oh, lady, I have somewhat to tell you. Be on your guard, Start not! What I would say is of the utmost

consequence, and demands the utmost prudence. Ah, God, that there should live men so cruel! Lady, your life

"Do you wish to behold your assassin? You shall not die, but if you value your life, be silent."

"Fear nothing, lady, fear nothing; you have nothing to fear, while I am with you. Before you quit this arbour

Rosabella made a movement as if she would have fled; but suddenly the person who sat beside her was no

longer an infirm old man. He who a minute before had scarcely strength to mutter out a few sentences, and

reclined against the arbour trembling like an aspen, sprang up with the force of a giant, and drew her back

"Lady, fear nothing; _I_ protect you." This said, Abellino placed a whistle at his lips, and blew it shrilly.

Instantly sprang Matteo from his concealment in a neighbouring clump of trees, and rushed into the arbour.

Abellino threw Rosabella on the bank of turf, advanced a few steps to meet Matteo, and plunged his dagger in

Without uttering a single cry, sank the banditti captain at the feet of Abellino: the deathrattle was heard in

Now did Matteo's murderer look again towards the arbour, and beheld Rosabella half senseless, as she lay on

"Your life is safe, beautiful Rosabella," said he; "there lies the villain bleeding, who conducted me hither to

murder you. Recover yourself; return to your uncle, the Doge, and tell him that you owe your life to

Rosabella could not speak. Trembling, she stretched her arms towards him, grasped his hand, and pressed it

Abellino gazed with delight and wonder on the lovely sufferer; and in such a situation, who could have

beheld her without emotion? Rosabella had scarcely numbered seventeen summers; her light and delicate

limbs, enveloped in a thin white garment, which fell around her in a thousand folds; her blue and melting

eyes, whence beamed the expression of purest innocence; her forehead, white as ivory, overshadowed the

ringlets of her bright dark hair; cheeks, whence terror had now stolen the roses; such was Rosabella, a

creature in whose formation partial Nature seemed to have omitted nothing which might constitute the

perfection of female lovelinesssuch was she; and being such, the wretched Abellino may be forgiven if for

some few minutes he stood like one enchanted, and bartered for those few minutes the tranquillity of his heart

"By Him who made me," cried he at length, "oh! thou art fair, Rosabella; Valeria was not fairer."

He bowed himself down to her, and imprinted a burning kiss on the pale cheeks of the beauty.

"Ah, Rosabella, why art thou so beauteous, and why am IKnowest thou who kissed thy cheek, Rosabella?

Go, tell thy uncle, the proud Doge'TWAS THE BRAVO, ABELLINO," he said, and rushed out of the

It was not without good reason that Abellino took his departure in such haste. He had quitted the spot but a

few minutes, when a large party accidentally strolled that way, and discovered with astonishment the corpse

A crowd immediately collected itself round them. It increased with every moment, and Rosabella was

necessitated to repeat what had happened to her for the satisfaction of every newcomer.

In the meanwhile some of the Doge's courtiers, who happened to be among the crowd, hastened to call her

attendants together; her gondola was already waiting for her, and the terrified girl soon reached her uncle's

In vain was an embargo laid upon every other gondola; in vain did they examine every person who was in the

gardens of Dolabella at the time, when the murdered assassin was first discovered. No traces could be found

The report of this strange adventure spread like wildfire through Venice. Abellino, for Rosabella had

preserved but too well in her memory that dreadful name, and by the relation of her danger had given it

universal publicity, Abellino was the object of general wonder and curiosity. Every one pitied the poor

Rosabella for what she had suffered, execrated the villain who had bribed Matteo to murder her, and

endeavoured to connect the different circumstances together by the help of one hypothesis or other, among

Every one who heard the adventure, told it again, and every one who told it, added something of his own, till

at length it was made into a complete romantic novel, which might have been entitled with great propriety,

"The Power of Beauty;" for the Venetian gentlemen and ladies had settled the point among themselves

completely to their own satisfaction, that Abellino would undoubtedly have assassinated Rosabella, had he

not been prevented by her uncommon beauty. But though Abellino's interference had preserved her life, it

was doubted much whether this adventure would be at all relished by her destined bridegroom, the Prince of

Monaldeschi, a Neapolitan of the first rank, possessed of immense wealth and extensive influence. The Doge

had for some time been secretly engaged in negotiating a match between his niece and this powerful

nobleman, who was soon expected to make his appearance at Venice. The motive of his journey, in spite of

all the Doge's precautions, had been divulged, and it was no longer a secret to any but Rosabella, who had

never seen the prince, and could not imagine why his expected visit should excite such general curiosity.

Thus far the story had been told much to Rosabella's credit; but at length the women began to envy her for

her share in the adventure. The kiss which she had received from the bravo afforded them an excellent

opportunity for throwing out a few malicious insinuations. "She received a great service," said one, "and

there's no saying how far the fair Rosabella in the warmth of gratitude may have been carried in rewarding

her preserver." "Very true," observed another, "and for my part, I think it not very likely that the fellow, being

alone with a pretty girl, whose life he had just saved, should have gone away contented with a single kiss."

"Come, come," interrupted a third, "do not let us judge uncharitably; the fact may be exactly as the lady

relates it, though I MUST say, that gentlemen of Abellino's profession are not usually so prettybehaved, and

In short, Rosabella and the horrible Abellino furnished the indolent and gossiping Venetians with

conversation so long, that at length the Doge's niece was universally known by the honourable appellation of

But no one gave himself more trouble about this affair than the Doge, the good but proud Andreas. He

immediately issued orders that every person of suspicious appearance should be watched more closely than

ever, the night patrols were doubled, and spies were employed daily in procuring intelligence of Abellino;

"Confusion!" exclaimed Parozzi, a Venetian nobleman of the first rank, as he paced his chamber with a

disordered air on the morning after Matteo's murder; "now all curses light upon the villain's awkwardness; yet

it seems inconceivable to me how all this should have fallen out so untowardly. Has any one discovered my

designs? I know well that Verrino loves Rosabella. Was it he who opposed this confounded Abellino to

Matteo, and charged him to mar my plans against her? That seems likely; and now, when the Doge inquires

who it was that employed assassins to murder his niece, what other will be suspected than Parozzi, the

discontented lover, to whom Rosabella refused her hand, and whom Andreas hates past hope of

reconciliation? And now, having once found the scentParozzi! Parozzi! should the crafty Andreas get an

insight into your plans, should he learn that you have placed yourself at the head of a troop of harebrained

youthsharebrained may I well call childrenwho, in order to avoid the rod, set fire to their paternal

Here his reflections were interrupted. Memmo, Falieri, and Contarino entered the room, three young

Venetians of the highest rank, Parozzi's inseparable companions, men depraved both in mind and body,

spendthrifts, voluptuaries, well known to every usurer in Venice, and owing more than their paternal

"Why, how is this, Parozzi?" cried Memmo as he entered, a wretch whose every feature exhibited marks of

that libertinism to which his life had been dedicated; "I can scarce recover myself from my astonishment. For

Heaven's sake, is this report true? Did you really hire Matteo to murder the Doge's niece?"

"I?" exclaimed Parozzi, and hastily turned away to hide the deadly paleness which overspread his

countenance; "why should you suppose that any such designssurely, Memmo, you are distracted."

Memmo.By my soul, I speak but the plain matter of fact. Nay, only ask Falieri; he can tell you more.

Falieri.Faith, it is certain, Parozzi, that Lomellino has declared to the Doge as a truth beyond doubting that

you, and none but you, were the person who instigated Matteo to attempt Rosabella's life.

Contarino.Well, well, only be upon your guard. Andreas is a terrible fellow to deal with.

Falieri.HE terrible. I tell you he is the most contemptible blockhead that the universe can furnish! Courage

Contarino.And _I_ tell you that Andreas is as brave as a lion, and as crafty as a fox.

Falieri.Pshaw! pshaw! Everything would go to rack and ruin were it not for the wiser heads of this

triumvirate of counsellors, whom Heaven confound! Deprive him of Paolo Manfrone, Conari, and Lomellino,

and the Doge would stand there looking as foolish as a schoolboy who was going to be examined and had

Falieri.And then Andreas is as proud as a beggar grown rich and dressed in his first suit of embroidery. By

St. Anthony, he is become quite insupportable. Do you not observe how he increases the number of his

Contarino.And then, to what an unbounded extent has he carried his influence. The Signoria, the Quaranti,

the Procurators of St. Mark, the Avocatori, all think and act exactly as it suits the Doge's pleasure and

convenience! Every soul of them depends as much on that one man's honour and caprices as puppets do who

nod or shake their wooden heads just as the fellow behind the curtain thinks proper to move the wires.

Falieri.But never credit me again if he does not experience a reverse of fortune speedily.

Contarino.That might happen would we but set our shoulders to the wheel stoutly. But what do we do? We

pass our time in taverns; drink and game, and throw ourselves headlong into such an ocean of debts, that the

best swimmer must sink at last. Let us resolve to make the attempt. Let us seek recruits on all sides; let us

labour with all our might and main. Things must change, or if they do not, take my word for it, my friends,

Memmo.Nay, it's a melancholy truth, that during the last halfyear my creditors have been ready to beat

my door down with knocking. I am awakened out of my sleep in the morning, and lulled to rest again at night

Falieri.Had we been less extravagant, we might at this moment have been sitting quietly in our palaces; but

Parozzi.Well, as things stand nowI verily believe that Falieri is going to moralise.

Contarino.That is ever the way with old sinners when they have lost the power to sin any longer. Then

they are ready enough to weep over their past life, and talk loudly about repentance and reformation. Now,

for my own part, I am perfectly well satisfied with my wanderings from the common beaten paths of morality

and prudence. They serve to convince me that I am not one of your everyday men, who sit cramped up in

the chimneycorner, lifeless, phlegmatic, and shudder when they hear of any extraordinary occurrence.

Nature evidently has intended me to be a libertine, and I am determined to fulfil my destination. Why, if

spirits like ours were not produced every now and then, the world would absolutely go fast asleep, but we

rouse it by deranging the old order of things, force mankind to quicken their snail's pace, furnish a million of

idlers with riddles which they puzzle their brains about without being able to comprehend, infuse some

hundreds of new ideas into the heads of the great multitude, and, in short, are as useful to the world as

tempests are, which dissipate those exhalations with which Nature otherwise would poison herself.

Falieri.Excellent sophistry, by my honour. Why, Contarino, ancient Rome has had an irreparable loss in

not having numbered you among her orators. It is a pity, though, that there should be so little that's solid

wrapped up in so many finesounding words. Now learn that while you, with this rare talent of eloquence,

have been most unmercifully wearing out the patience of your goodnatured hearers, Falieri has been in

ACTION. The Cardinal Gonzaga is discontented with the governmentHeaven knows what Andreas has

done to make him so vehemently his enemybut, in short, Gonzaga now belongs to our party.

Parozzi (with astonishment and delight).Falieri, are you in your senses? The Cardinal Gonzaga?

Falieri.Is ours, and ours both body and soul. I confess I was first obliged to rhodomontade a good deal to

him about our patriotism, our glorious designs, our love for freedom, and so forth; in short, Gonzaga is a

Contarino (clasping Falieri's hand).Bravo, my friend! Venice shall see a second edition of Catiline's

conspiracy. Now, then, it is MY turn to speak, for I have not been idle since we parted. In truth, I have as yet

CAUGHT nothing, but I have made myself master of an allpowerful net, with which I doubt not to capture

Parozzi.Does not each of us keep a list of the handsomest women in the Republic, and can we have

Falieri.Olympia and Rosabella are the goddesses of Venice; our youths burn incense on no other altars.

Contarino.Why, how now? Why stare ye as had I prophesied to you that the skies were going to fall? I tell

you Olympia's heart is mine, and that I possess her entire and most intimate confidence. Our connection must

remain a profound secret, but depend on it, whatever _I_ wish SHE wishes also; and you know she can make

half the nobility in Venice dance to the sound of her pipe, let her play what tune she pleases.

Contarino.And you had not the least suspicion how powerful an ally I was labouring to procure for you?

Parozzi.I must blush for myself while I listen to you, since as yet I have done nothing. Yet this I must say

in my excuse: Had Matteo, bribed by my gold, accomplished Rosabella's murder, the Doge would have been

robbed of that chain with which he holds the chief men in Venice attached to his government. Andreas would

have no merit, were Rosabella once removed. The most illustrious families would care no longer for his

friendship with their hopes of a connection with him by means of his niece buried in her grave. Rosabella will

Memmo.All that I can do for you in this business is to provide you with pecuniary supplies. My old

miserable uncle, whose whole property becomes mine at his death, has brimful coffers, and the old miser dies

Memmo.Why, I never have been able to make up my mind entirely to You would scarcely believe it,

friends, but at times I am so hypochondriac, that I could almost fancy I feel twinges of conscience.

Memmo.Our care first must be to find out our old acquaintances, Matteo's companions: yet, having

hitherto always transacted business with them through their captain, I know not where they are to be met

Parozzi.As soon as they are found, their first employment must be the removal of the Doge's trio of

Contarino.That were an excellent idea, if it were as easily done as said. Well, then, my friends, this

principal point at least is decided. Either we will bury our debts under the ruins of the existing constitution of

the Republic, or make Andreas a gift of our heads towards strengthening the walls of the building. In either

case, we shall at least obtain quiet. Necessity, with her whip of serpents, has driven us to the very highest

point of her rock, whence we must save ourselves by some act of extraordinary daring, or be precipitated on

the opposite side into the abyss of shame and eternal oblivion. The next point to be considered is, how we

may best obtain supplies for our necessary expenses, and induce others to join with us in our plans. For this

purpose we must use every artifice to secure in our interests the courtesans of the greatest celebrity in Venice.

What WE should be unable to effect by every power of persuasion, banditti by their daggers, and princes by

their treasuries, can one of those Phrynes accomplish with a single look. Where the terrors of the scaffold are

without effect, and the exhortations of the priests are heard with coldness, a wanton look and a tender

promise often perform wonders. The bell which sounded the hour of assignation has often rang the knell of

the most sacred principles and most steadfast resolutions. But should you either fail to gain the mastery over

the minds of these women, or fear to be yourselves entangled in the nets which you wish to spread for others,

in these cases you must have recourse to the holy father confessors. Flatter the pride of these insolent friars;

paint for them upon the blank leaf of futurity bishops' mitres, patriarchal missions, the hats of cardinals, and

the keys of St. Peter; my life upon it, they will spring at the bait, and you will have them completely at your

disposal. These hypocrites who govern the consciences of the bigoted Venetians, hold man and woman, the

noble and the mendicant, the Doge and the gondolier, bound fast in the chains of superstition, by which they

can head them wheresoever it best suits their pleasure. It will save us tons of gold in gaining over proselytes,

and keeping their consciences quiet when gained, if we can but obtain the assistance of the confessors, whose

blessings and curses pass with the multitude for current coin. Now, then, to work, comrades, and so farewell.

Scarcely had Abellino achieved the bloody deed which employed every tongue in Venice, when he changed

his dress and whole appearance with so much expedition and success as to prevent the slightest suspicion of

his being Matteo's murderer. He quitted the gardens unquestioned, nor left the least trace which could lead to

He arrived at Cinthia's dwelling. It was already evening. Cinthia opened the door, and Abellino entered the

"Where are the rest?" said he in a savage tone of voice whose sound made Cinthia tremble.

"They have been asleep," she answered, "since midday. Probably they mean to go out on some pursuit

tonight." Abellino threw himself into a chair, and seemed to be lost in thought.

"But why are you always so gloomy, Abellino?" said Cinthia, drawing near him; "it's that which makes you

so ugly. Prithee away with those frowns; they make your countenance look worse than nature made it?"

"Really, you are enough to frighten a body! Come, now, let us be friends, Abellino; I begin not to dislike you,

"The sleepers? Pshaw, let them sleep on, the stupid rogues. Sure you are not afraid to be alone with me?

Mercy on me, one would think I looked as terrible as yourself? Do I? Nay, look on me, Abellino."

Cinthia, to say the truth, was by no means an illlooking girl; her eyes were bright and expressive; the hair

fell in shining ringlets over her bosom; her lips were red and full, and she bowed them towards Abellino's.

But Abellino's were still sacred by the touch of Rosabella's cheek. He started from his seat, and removed, yet

"Wake the sleepers, my good girl," said he, "I must speak with them this moment."

Cinthia retired in silence; yet as she crossed the threshold, she stopped for an instant and menaced him with

Abellino strode through the chamber with hasty steps, his head reclining on his shoulder, his arms folded

"The first step is taken," said he to himself. "There is one moral monster the less on earth. I have committed

no sin by this murder; I have but performed a sacred duty. Aid me, thou Great and Good, for arduous is the

task before me. Ah, should that task be gone through with success, and Rosabella be the reward of my

labours Rosabella? What, shall the Doge's niece bestow on the outcast Abellino? Oh, madman that I am to

hope it, never can I reach the goal of my wishes! No, never was there frenzy to equal mine. To attach myself

at first sight toYet Rosabella alone is capable of thus enchanting at first sightRosabella and Valeria? To

be beloved by two such womenYet, though 'tis impossible to attain, the striving to attain such an end is

glorious. Illusions so delightful will at least make me happy for a moment, and alas, the wretched Abellino

needs so many illusions that for a moment will make him happy! Oh, surely, knew the world what I gladly

Cinthia returned; the four bravoes followed her, yawning, grumbling, and still half asleep.

"Come, come!" said Abellino, "rouse yourselves, lads. Before I say anything, be convinced that you are wide

awake, for what I am going to tell you is so strange that you would scarce believe it in a dream."

"What, murdered!" every one exclaimed, and gazed with looks of terror on the bearer of this unwelcome

news; while Cinthia gave a loud scream, and, clasping her hands together, sank almost breathless into a chair.

Abellino.In the gardens of Dolabella, where he was found bleeding at the feet of the Doge's niece. Whether

Abellino.About this time tomorrow you will see his corpse exhibited on the gibbet.

Baluzzo.Confound the fellow, who would have thought of anything happening so unlucky?

Abellino.Indeed! By my life, when I heard the news I burst into laughter. "Signor Matteo," said I, "I wish

Abellino.Why, surely you are not afraid of receiving what you are so ready to bestow on others? What is

your object? What can we expect as our reward at the end of our labours except the gibbet or the rock? What

memorials of our actions shall we leave behind us, except our skeletons dancing in the air, and the chains

which rattle round them? He who chooses to play the bravo's part on the great theatre of the world must not

be afraid of death, whether it comes at the hands of the physician or the executioner. Come, come, pluck up

Baluzzo.Prithee, Abellino, be composed for a moment or two, your gaiety at a time like this is quite

Abellino.Heyday. Why, what is all this! Cinthia, my life, are you not ashamed of being such a child?

Come, let you and I renew that conversation which my sending you to wake these gentlemen interrupted. Sit

Abellino.What, have you altered your mind, my pretty dear? Well, well, with all my heart, when YOU are

Baluzzo.Death and the devil, Abellino, is this a time for talking nonsense? Prithee keep such trash for a

Struzza.Tell us, Abellino; you are a clever fellow; what course is it best for us to take?

Abellino (after a pause).Nothing must be done, or a great deal. One of two things we must choose. Either

we must remain WHERE we are, and WHAT we are, murder honest men to please any rascal who will give

us gold and fair words, and make up our minds to be hung, broken on the wheel, condemned to the galleys,

burnt alive, crucified, or beheaded, at the long run, just as it may seem best to the supreme authority; or else

Abellino.Or else we must divide the spoils which are already in our possession, quit the Republic, begin a

new and better life, and endeavour to make our peace with Heaven. We have already wealth enough to make

it unnecessary for us to ask how shall we get our bread? You may either buy an estate in some foreign

country, or keep Osteria, or engage in commerce, or set up some trade, or, in short, do whatever you like best,

so that you do but abandon the profession of an assassin. Then we may look out for a wife among the pretty

girls of our own rank in life, become the happy fathers of sons and daughters may eat and drink in peace and

security, and make amends by the honesty of our future lives for the offences of our past.

Abellino.What YOU do, that will _I_ do too; I will either hang or be broken on the wheel along with you,

Thomaso.Without more words, then, I vote for our remaining as we are, and carrying on our old trade; that

Thomaso.We are bravoes, it's true; but what then? We are honest fellows, and the devil take him who

dares to say we are not. However, at any rate, we must keep within doors for a few days, lest we should be

discovered; for I warrant you the Doge's spies are abroad in search of us by this. But as soon as the pursuit is

over, be it our first business to find out Matteo's murderer, and throttle him out of hand as a warning to all

In solitude and anxiety, with barred windows and bolted doors, did the banditti pass the day immediately

succeeding Matteo's murder; every murmur in the street appeared to them a cause of apprehension; every

footstep which approached their doors made them tremble till it had passed them.

In the meanwhile the ducal palace blazed with splendour and resounded with mirth. The Doge celebrated the

birthday of his fair niece, Rosabella; and the feast was honoured by the presence of the chief persons of the

city, of the foreign ambassadors, and of many illustrious strangers who were at that time resident in Venice.

On this occasion no expense had been spared, no source of pleasure had been neglected. The arts contended

with each other for superiority; the best poets in Venice celebrated this day with powers excelling anything

which they had before exhibited, for the subject of their verses was Rosabella; the musicians and virtuosi

surpassed all their former triumphs, for their object was to obtain the suffrage of Rosabella. The singular

union of all kinds of pleasure intoxicated the imagination of every guest; and the genius of delight extended

his influence over the whole assembly, over the old man and the youth, over the matron and the virgin.

The venerable Andreas had seldom been in such high spirits as on this occasion. He was all life; smiles of

satisfaction played round his lips; gracious and condescending to every one, he made it his chief care to

prevent his rank from being felt. Sometimes he trifled with the ladies, whose beauty formed the greatest

ornament of this entertainment; sometimes he mingled among the masks, whose fantastic appearance and

gaiety of conversation enlivened the ball room by their variety; at other times he played chess with the

generals and admirals of the Republic; and frequently he forsook everything to gaze with delight on

Lomellino, Conari, and Paolo Manfrone, the Doge's three confidential friends and counsellors, in defiance of

their grey hairs, mingled in the throng of youthful beauties, flirted first with one and then with another, and

the arrows of raillery were darted and received on both sides with spirit and good humour.

"Now, Lomellino," said Andreas to his friend, who entered the saloon in which the Doge was at that time

accidentally alone with his niece, "you seem in gayer spirits this evening than when we were lying before

Lomellino.I shall not take upon me to deny that, signor. I still think with a mixture of terror and

satisfaction on the night when we took Scardona, and carried the halfmoon before the city walls. By my

Andreas.Fill this goblet to their memory, my old soldier; you have earned your rest bravely.

Lomellino.Aye, signor, and oh, it is so sweet to rest on laurels. But in truth, 'tis to you that I am indebted

for mine; it is you who have immortalised me. No soul on earth would have known that Lomellino existed,

had he not fought in Dalmatia and Sicilia under the banners of the great Andreas, and assisted him in raising

Lomellino.Nay, I know well I ought not to call you great, and praise you thus openly to your face; but

faith, signor, I am grown too old for it to be worth my while to flatter. That is a business which I leave to our

young courtiers, who have never yet come within the smell of powder, and never have fought for Venice and

Andreas.You are an old enthusiast. Think you the Emperor is of the same opinion?

Lomellino.Unless Charles the Fifth is deceived by those about him, or is too proud to allow the greatness

of an enemy, he must say, perforce, "There is but one man on earth whom I fear, and who is worthy to

Andreas.I suspect he will be sorely displeased when he receives my answer to the message by which he

Lomellino.Displeased he will be, signor, no doubt of it; but what then? Venice need not fear his

displeasure, while Andreas still lives. But when you and your heroes are once gone to your eternal

restthen, alas for thee, poor Venice. I fear your golden times will soon come to their conclusion.

Lomellino.Alas, what are most of them? Heroes in the fields of Venus. Heroes at a drinkingbout.

Effeminate striplings, relaxed both in mind and body. But how am I running on, forgetful. Ah, when one is

grown old, and conversing with an Andreas, it is easy to forget everything else. My lord, I sought you with a

Lomellino.About a week ago there arrived here a young Florentine nobleman called Flodoardo, a youth of

Lomellino.His father was one of my dearest friends. He is dead now, the good old generous nobleman. In

our youth we served together on board the same vessel, and many a turbaned head has fallen beneath his

Andreas.While celebrating the father's bravery, you seem to have quite forgotten the son.

Lomellino.His son is arrived in Venice, and wishes to enter into the service of the Republic. I entreat you,

give the young man some respectable situation; he will prove the boast of Venice when we shall be in our

Lomellino.That he has; a heart like his father's. Will it please you to see and converse with him? He is

yonder, among the masks in the great saloon. One thing I must tell you, as a specimen of his designs. He has

heard of the banditti who infest Venice, and he engages that the first piece of service which he renders the

Republic shall be the delivering into the hands of justice those concealed assassins, who hitherto have eluded

Andreas.Indeed! I doubt that promise will be too much for his power to perform. Flodoardo, I think you

Lomellino.Oh! then I have gained at least the HALF of my cause, and I believe the WHOLE of it, for to

see Flodoardo and not to like him is as difficult as to look at Paradise and not wish to enter. To see Flodoardo

and to hate him is as unlikely as that a blind man should hate the kind hand which removes the cataract from

Andreas (smiling).In the whole course of our acquaintance, Lomellino, never did I hear you so

Lomellino.I hasten to find him. And as for you, signora, look to yourself! look to yourself, I say!

Rosabella.Nay, prithee, Lomellino, bring your hero hither without delay; you have raised my curiosity to

Rosabella.I am weary, and, besides, curiosity now detains me here, for I would fain see this Flodoardo,

whom Lomellino thinks deserving of such extraordinary praise. Shall I tell you the truth, my dear uncle? I

verily believe that I am already acquainted with him. There was a mask in a Grecian habit, whose appearance

was so striking, that it was impossible for him to remain confounded with the crowd. The least attentive eye

must have singled him out from among a thousand. It was a tall light figure, so graceful in every movement;

Rosabella.Nay, my dear uncle, what I say is mere justice; it is possible, indeed, that the Greek and the

Florentine may be two different persons, but still, according to Lomellino's description Oh! look, dear

Andreas.And Lomellino is with him; they approach. Rosabella, you have made a good guess.

The Doge had scarcely ceased to speak, when Lomellino entered the room, conducting a tall young man,

"My gracious lord," said Lomellino, "I present to you the Count Flodoardo, who humbly sues for your

Flodoardo uncovered his head in token of respect, took off his mask, and bowed low before the illustrious

Flodoardo.That is my ambition, should your Highness think me deserving of such an honour.

Andreas.Lomellino speaks highly of you; if all that he says be true, how came you to deprive your own

Andreas.You have intentions, it seems, of discovering the haunts of the banditti, who for some time past

Flodoardo.If your Highness would deign to confide in me, I would answer with my head for their delivery

Andreas.That were much for a stranger to perform. I would fain make the trial whether you can keep your

Flodoardo.That is sufficient. Tomorrow, or the day after at least, will I perform my promise.

Andreas.And you make that promise so resolutely? Are you aware, young man, how dangerous a task it is

to surprise these miscreants? They are never to be found when sought for, and always present when least

expected; they are at once everywhere and nowhere. There exists not a nook in Venice which our spies are

not acquainted with, or have left unexamined, and yet has our police endeavoured in vain to discover the

Flodoardo.I know all this, and to know it rejoices me, since it affords me an opportunity of convincing the

Andreas.Perform your promise, and then let me hear of you. For the present our discourse shall end here,

for no unpleasant thoughts must disturb the joy to which this day is dedicated. Rosabella, would you not like

Rosabella, during this conversation, had been leaning against the back of her uncle's chair. She repeated to

herself Lomellino's assertion, "that to see Flodoardo, and not to like him, was as difficult as to look at

Paradise and not wish to enter;" and while she gazed on the youth, she allowed that Lomellino had not

exaggerated. When her uncle desired Flodoardo to conduct her to the dancers, a soft blush overspread her

cheek, and she doubted whether she should accept or decline the hand which was immediately offered.

And to tell you my real opinion, my fair ladies, I suspect that very few of you would have been more

collected than Rosabella, had you found yourselves similarly situated. In truth, such a form as Flodoardo's; a

countenance whose physiognomy seemed a passport at once to the hearts of all who examined it; features so

exquisitely fashioned that the artist who wished to execute a model of manly beauty, had he imitated them,

would have had nothing to supply or improve; features, every one of which spoke so clearly, "The bosom of

this youth contains the heart of a hero." Ah, ladies, my dear ladies, a man like this might well make some

little confusion in the head and heart of a poor young girl, tender and unsuspicious!

Flodoardo took Rosabella's hand, and led her into the ballroom. Here all was mirth and splendour, the roofs

reechoed with the full swell of harmony, and the floor trembled beneath the multitude of dancers, who

formed a thousand beautiful groups by the blaze of innumerable lustres. Yes, Flodoardo and Rosabella passed

on in silence till they reached the extreme end of the great saloon. Here they stopped, and remained before an

open window. Some minutes passed, and still they spoke not. Sometimes they gazed on each other,

sometimes on the dancers, sometimes on the moon; and then again they forgot each other, the dancers, and

"A misfortune?" said Rosabella, starting as if suddenly awaking from a dream; "what misfortune, signor?

"He who is doomed to behold the joys of Elysium and never to possess them. He who dies of thirst and sees a

cup stand full before him, but which he knows is destined for the lips of another."

"And are you, my lord, this outcast from Elysium? Are you the thirsty one who stands near the cup which is

"You understand it as I meant: and now tell me, lovely Rosabella, am I not indeed unfortunate?"

"Where Rosabella is, there is indeed Elysium. You are not offended, signora?" said Flodoardo, and took her

"You are a native of Florence, Count Flodoardo. In Venice we dislike this kind of compliment: at least I

"By my life, signora, I spoke but as I thought! my words concealed no flattery."

"See, the Doge enters the saloon with Manfrone and Lomellino: he will seek us among the dancers. Come, let

Flodoardo followed her in silence. The dance began. Heavens! how lovely looked Rosabella, as she glided

along to the sweet sounds of music, conducted by Flodoardo. How handsome looked Flodoardo, as, lighter

than air, he flew down the dance, while his brilliant eyes saw no object but Rosabella.

He was still without his mask, and bareheaded: but every eye glanced away from the helmets and barettes,

waving with plumes, and sparkling with jewels, to gaze on Flodoardo's raven locks, as they floated on the air

in wild luxuriance. A murmur of admiration rose from every corner of the saloon, but it rose unmarked by

those who were the objects of it. Neither Rosabella nor Flodoardo at that moment formed a wish to be

Two evenings had elapsed since the Doge's entertainment. On the second, Parozzi sat in his own apartment,

with Memmo and Falieri. Dimly burnt the lights; lowering and tempestuous were the skies without; gloomy

Parozzi (after a long silence).What, are you both dreaming? Ho, there, Memmo, Falieri, fill your goblets.

Falieri.Nor I. Methinks it tastes like vinegar: yet the wine itself is good: 'tis our ill temper spoils it.

Parozzi.Not a trace of them can be found. It is enough to kill one with vexation.

Falieri.And in the meanwhile the time runs out, our projects will get wind, and then we shall sit quietly in

the State prisons of Venice, objects of derision to the populace and ourselves. I could tear my flesh for anger.

Parozzi (striking his hand against the table passionately). Flodoardo, Flodoardo.

Falieri.In a couple of hours I must attend the Cardinal Gonzaga, and what intelligence shall I have to give

Memmo.Come, come, Contarino cannot have been absent so long without cause; I warrant you he will

Falieri.Pshaw, pshaw! My life on't he lies at this moment at Olympia's feet, and forgets us, the Republic,

Parozzi.I? Ridiculous, Rosabella may bestow her hand on the German Emperor, or a Venetian gondolier,

Memmo.Well, one thing at least even envy must confess; Flodoardo is the handsomest man in Venice. I

Parozzi.And I should doubt it too, if women had as little sense as you have, and looked only at the shell

Falieri.The old Lomellino seems to be extremely intimate with this Flodoardo. They say he was well

Memmo.It can be none but Contarino. Now, then, we shall hear whether he has discovered the banditti.

"Good evening, sweet gentlemen," said he, and threw his mantle aside. And Memmo, Parozzi, and Falieri

"A trifle!" cried Contarino; "is that wine? quick, give me a goblet of it, I expire with thirst."

Parozzi.First let us bind up your wounds, and then tell us what has happened to you. It is as well that the

servants should remain ignorant of your adventure; I will be your surgeon myself.

Contarino.What has happened to me, say you? Oh! a joke, gentlemen, a mere joke. Here, Falieri, fill the

Contarino.Very possibly; neither should I, were I Memmo instead of being Contarino. The wound bleeds

plenteously it's true, but it's by no means dangerous (he tore open his doublet, and uncovered his bosom).

There, look, comrades; you see it's only a cut of not more than two inches deep.

Contarino.Old Horace is in the right. A philosopher can be anything he pleases, a cobbler, a king, or a

physician. Only observe with what dignified address the philosopher Parozzi spreads that plaster for me. I

thank you, friend; that's enough: and now, comrades, place yourselves in a circle round me, and listen to the

Contarino.As soon as it was twilight, I stole out, wrapped in my cloak, determined if possible to discover

some of the banditti. I knew not their persons, neither were they acquainted with mine. An extravagant

undertaking, perhaps, you will tell me; but I was resolved to convince you that everything which a man

DETERMINES to do, may be done. I had some information respecting the rascals, though it was but slight,

and on these grounds I proceeded. I happened by mere accident to stumble upon a gondolier, whose

appearance excited my curiosity. I fell into discourse with him. I was soon convinced that he was not ignorant

of the lurkingplace of the bravoes, and by means of some gold and many fair speeches, I at length brought

him to confess that though not regularly belonging to the band, he had occasionally been employed by them. I

immediately made a bargain with him; he conducted me in his gondola through the greatest part of Venice,

sometimes right, sometimes left, till I lost every idea as to the quarter of the town in which I found myself. At

length he insisted on binding my eyes with his handkerchief, and I was compelled to submit. Half an hour

elapsed before the gondola stopped. He told me to descend, conducted me through a couple of streets, and at

length knocked at a door, where he left me still blindfolded. The door was opened; my business was inquired

with great caution, and after some demur I was at length admitted. The handkerchief was now withdrawn

from my eyes, and I found myself in a small chamber, surrounded by four men of not the most creditable

Contarino.Here was no time to be lost. I instantly threw my purse on the table, promised them mountains

of gold, and fixed on particular days, hours, and signals which were necessary to facilitate our future

intercourse. For the present I only required that Manfrone, Conari, and Lomellino should be removed with all

Contarino.So far everything went exactly as we could have wished, and one of my new associates was just

Contarino.A knocking was heard at the door; the girl went to inquire the cause. In an instant she returned

Contarino.Why then followed a whole legion of sbirri and police officers, and who should be at their

Contarino.We stood as if we had been petrified; not a soul could stir a finger. "In the name of the Doge

and the Republic," cried Flodoardo, "yield yourselves and deliver your arms." "The devil shall yield himself

sooner than we," exclaimed one of the banditti, and forced a sword from one of the officers. The others

snatched their muskets from the walls; and as for me, my first care was to extinguish the lamp so that we

could not tell friends from foes. But still the confounded moonshine gleamed through the window shutters,

and shed a partial light through the room. "Look to yourself, Contarino," thought I; "if you are found here,

you will be hanged for company," and I drew my sword and made a plunge at Flodoardo; but, however well

intended, my thrust was foiled by his sabre, which he whirled around with the rapidity of lightning. I fought

like a madman, but all my skill was without effect on this occasion, and before I was aware of it, Flodoardo

ripped open my bosom. I felt myself wounded, and sprang back. At that moment two pistols were fired, and

the flash discovered to me a small side door, which they had neglected to beset. Through this I stole

unperceived into the adjoining chamber, burst open the grated window, sprang below unhurt, crossed a

courtyard, climbed two or three garden walls, gained the canal, where a gondola fortunately was waiting,

persuaded the boatman to convey me with all speed to the Place of St. Mark, and thence hastened hither,

Falieri.Everything we design is counteracted; the more trouble we give ourselves, the further we are from

Memmo.I confess it seems to me as if Heaven gave us warning to desist. How say you?

Contarino.Pshaw, these are trifles! Such accidents should only serve to sharpen our wits. The more

Contarino.No; they are not only ignorant of my name, but suppose me to be a mere instrument of some

Memmo.Well, Contarino, in my mind you should thank Heaven that you have escaped so well.

Falieri.But since he is an absolute stranger in Venice, how could Flodoardo discover the lurking place of

Contarino.I know not; probably by mere accident like myself, but by the Power that made me, he shall pay

Falieri.I shall do myself the honour of becoming better acquainted with the gentleman.

Contarino.Memmo, we must needs have full purses, or our business will hang on hand wofully.

Since Rosabella's birthday, no woman in Venice who had the slightest pretensions to beauty, or the most

remote expectations of making conquests, had any subject of conversation except the handsome Florentine.

He found employment for every female tongue, and she who dared not to employ her tongue, made amends

for the privation with her thoughts. Many a maiden now enjoyed less tranquil slumbers; many an experienced

coquette sighed as she laid on her colour at the looking glass; many a prude forgot the rules which she had

imposed upon herself, and daily frequented the gardens and walks in which report gave her the hope of

But from the time that, placing himself at the head of the sbirri, he had dared to enter boldly the den of the

banditti, and seize them at the hazard of his life, he was scarcely more an object of attention among the

women than among the men. Greatly did they admire his courage and unshaken presence of mind while

engaged in so perilous an adventure; but still more were they astonished at his penetration in discovering

where the bravoes concealed themselves, an attempt which foiled even the keen wits of the so much

The Doge Andreas cultivated the acquaintance of this singular young man with increasing assiduity; and the

more he conversed with him, the more deserving of consideration did Flodoardo appear. The action by which

he had rendered the Republic a service so essential was rewarded by a present that would not have disgraced

Imperial gratitude, and one of the most important offices of the State was confided to his superintendence.

Both favours were conferred unsolicited, but no sooner was the Florentine apprised of the Doge's benevolent

care of him, than with modesty and respect he requested to decline the proposed advantages. The only favour

which he requested was, to be permitted to live free and independent in Venice during a year, at the end of

which he promised to name that employment which he esteemed the best adapted to his abilities and

Flodoardo was lodged in the magnificent palace of his good old patron, Lomellino, here he lived in the

closest retirement, studied the most valuable parts of ancient and modern literature, remained for whole days

together in his own apartment, and was seldom to be seen in public except upon some great solemnity.

But the Doge, Lomellino, Manfrone, and Conari, men who had established the fame of Venice on so firm a

basis that it would require centuries to undermine it; men in whose society one seemed to be withdrawn from

the circle of ordinary mortals, and honoured by the intercourse of superior beings, men who now graciously

received the Florentine stranger into their intimacy, and resolved to spare no pains in forming him to support

the character of a great man; it could not long escape the observation of men like these, that Flodoardo's

In vain did Lomellino, who loved him like a father, endeavour to discover the source of his melancholy; in

vain did the venerable Doge exert himself to dispel the gloom which oppressed his young favourite.

And Rosabella? Rosabella would have belied her sex had she remained gay while Flodoardo sorrowed. Her

spirits were flown, her eyes were frequently obscured with tears. She grew daily paler and paler, till the

Doge, who doted on her, was seriously alarmed for her health. At length Rosabella grew really ill; a fever

fixed itself upon her; she became weak, and was confined to her chamber, and her complaint baffled the skill

In the midst of these unpleasant circumstances in which Andreas and his friends now found themselves, an

incident occurred one morning, which raised their uneasiness to the very highest pitch. Never had so bold and

audacious an action been heard of in Venice, as that which I am going to relate.

The four banditti, whom Flodoardo had seized, Pietrino, Struzza, Baluzza, and Thomaso, had been safely

committed to the Doge's dungeons, where they underwent a daily examination, and looked upon every sun

that rose as the last that would ever rise for THEM. Andreas and his confidential counsellors now flattered

themselves that the public tranquillity had nothing more to apprehend, and that Venice was now completely

purified of the miscreants, whom gold could bribe to be the instruments of revenge and cruelty; when all at

once the following address was discovered, affixed to most of the remarkable statues, and pasted against the

"Struzza, Thomaso, Pietrino, Baluzza, and Matteo, five as brave men as the world ever produced, who, had

they stood at the head of armies, would have been called HEROES, and now being called BANDITTI, are

fallen victims to the injustice of State policy. These men, it is true, exist for you no longer; but their place is

supplied by him, whose name is affixed to this paper, and who will stand by his employers with body and

with soul. I laugh at the vigilance of the Venetian police; I laugh at the crafty and insolent Florentine, whose

hand has dragged his brethren to the rack. Let those who need me, seek me; they will find me everywhere!

Let those who seek me with the design of delivering me up to the law, despair and tremble; they will find me

nowhere, but _I_ shall find THEM, and that when they least expect me! Venetians, you understand me! Woe

to the man who shall attempt to discover me; his life and death depend upon my pleasure. This comes from

"A hundred sequins," exclaimed the incensed Doge, on reading the paper, "a hundred sequins to him who

discovers this monster Abellino, and a thousand to him who delivers him up to justice."

But in vain did spies ransack every lurking place in Venice; no Abellino was to be found. In vain did the

luxurious, the avaricious, and the hungry stretch their wits to the utmost, incited by the tempting promise of a

But not the less did every one assert that he had recognised Abellino, sometimes in one disguise, and

sometimes in another, as an old man, a gondolier, a woman, or a monk. Everybody had seen him somewhere;

I informed my readers, in the beginning of the last chapter, that Flodoardo was become melancholy, and that

Rosabella was indisposed, but I did not tell them what had occasioned this sudden change.

Flodoardo, who on his first arrival at Venice was all gaiety, and the life of every society in which he mingled,

lost his spirits on one particular day; and it so happened that it was on the very same day that Rosabella

For on this unlucky day did the caprice of accident, or perhaps the Goddess of Love (who has her caprices too

every now and then), conduct Rosabella into her uncle's garden, which none but the Doge's intimate friends

were permitted to enter; and where the Doge himself frequently reposed in solitude and silence during the

Rosabella, lost in thought, wandered listless and unconscious along the broad and shady alleys of the garden.

Sometimes, in a moment of vexation, she plucked the unoffending leaves from the hedges and strewed them

upon the ground; sometimes she stopped suddenly, then rushed forward with impetuosity, then again stood

still, and gazed upon the clear blue heaven. Sometimes her beautiful bosom was heaved with quick and

irregular motion, and sometimes a half suppressed sigh escaped from her lips of coral.

"He is very handsome!" she murmured, and gazed with such eagerness on vacancy, as though she had there

"Yet Camilla is in the right," she resumed, after a pause, and she frowned as had she said that Camilla was in

This Camilla was her governess, her friend, her confidante, I may almost say her mother. Rosabella had lost

her parents early. Her mother died when her child could scarcely lisp her name; and her father, Guiscardo of

Corfu, the commander of a Venetian vessel, eight years before had perished in an engagement with the Turks,

while he was still in the prime of life. Camilla, one of the worthiest creatures that ever dignified the name of

woman, supplied to Rosabella the place of mother, had brought her up from infancy, and was now her best

While Rosabella was still buried in her own reflections, the excellent Camilla advanced from a side path, and

Camilla.You often call me your guardian angel, and guardian angels should always be near the object of

Rosabella.Camilla, I have been thinking over your arguments; I cannot deny that all you have said to me is

Camilla.But still, though your prudence agrees with me, your heart is of a contrary opinion.

Camilla.Nor do I blame your heart for differing from me, my poor girl. I have acknowledged to you

without disguise that were _I_ at your time of life, and were such a man as Flodoardo to throw himself in my

way, I could not receive his attentions with indifference. It cannot be denied that this young stranger is

uncommonly pleasing, and, indeed, for any woman whose heart is disengaged, an uncommonly

DANGEROUS companion. There is something very prepossessing in his appearance, his manners are

elegant, and short as has been his abode in Venice, it is already past doubting that there are many noble and

striking features in his character. But alas, after all, he is but a poor nobleman, and it is not very probable that

the rich and powerful Doge of Venice will ever bestow his niece on one who, to speak plainly, arrived here

little better than a beggar. No, no, child, believe me, a romantic adventurer is no fit husband for Rosabella of

Rosabella.Dear Camilla, who was talking about husbands? What I feel for Flodoardo is merely affection,

Camilla.Indeed! Then you would be perfectly satisfied, should some one of our wealthy ladies bestow her

Rosabella (hastily).Oh! Flodoardo would not ACCEPT her hand, Camilla; of that I am sure.

Camilla.Child, child, you would willingly deceive yourself. But be assured that a girl who loves ever

connects, perhaps unconsciously, the wish for an eternal UNION with the idea of eternal AFFECTION. Now

this is a wish which you cannot indulge in regard to Flodoardo without seriously offending your uncle, who,

good man as he is, must still submit to the severe control of politics and etiquette.

Rosabella.I know all that, Camilla, but can I not make you comprehend that I am not in love with

Flodoardo, and do not mean to be in love with him, and that love has nothing at all to do in the business? I

repeat to you, what I feel for him is nothing but sincere and fervent friendship; and surely Flodoardo deserves

that I should feel that sentiment for him. Deserves it, said I? Oh, what does Flodoardo NOT deserve?

Camilla.Ay, ay, friendship, indeed, and love. Oh, Rosabella, you know not how often these deceivers

borrow each other's mask to ensnare the hearts of unsuspecting maidens. You know not how often love finds

admission, when wrapped in friendship's cloak, into that bosom, which, had he approached under his own

appearance, would have been closed against him for ever. In short, my child, reflect how much you owe to

your uncle; reflect how much uneasiness this inclination would cost him; and sacrifice to duty what at present

is a mere caprice, but which, if encouraged, might make too deep an impression on your heart to be

Rosabella.You say right, Camilla. I really believe myself that my prepossession in Flodoardo's favour is

merely an accidental fancy, of which I shall easily get the better. No, no; I am not in love with Flodoardoof

that you may rest assured. I even think that I rather feel an antipathy towards him, since you have shown me

the possibility of his making me prove a cause of uneasiness to my kind, my excellent uncle.

Rosabella.Oh, that they are, Camilla; and so you will say yourself hereafter. This disagreeable

Flodoardoto give me so much vexation! I wish he had never come to Venice. I declare I do not like him at

Rosabella (casting down her eyes).No, not at all. Not that I wish him ill, either, for you know, Camilla,

Camilla.Well, we will resume this subject when I return. I have business, and the gondola waits for me.

Farewell, my child; and do not lay aside your resolution as hastily as you took it up.

Camilla departed, and Rosabella remained melancholy and uncertain. She built castles in the air, and

destroyed them as soon as built. She formed wishes, and condemned herself for having formed them. She

looked round her frequently in search of something, but dared not confess to herself what it was of which she

The evening was sultry, and Rosabella was compelled to shelter herself from the sun's overpowering heat. In

the garden was a small fountain, bordered by a bank of moss, over which the magic hands of art and nature

had formed a canopy of ivy and jessamine. Thither she bent her steps. She arrived at the fountain, and

instantly drew back, covered with blushes, for on the bank of moss, shaded by the protecting canopy, whose

waving blossoms were reflected on the fountain, Flodoardo was seated, and fixed his eyes on a roll of

Rosabella hesitated whether she should retire or stay. Flodoardo started from his place, apparently in no less

confusion than herself, and relieved her from her indecision by taking her hand with respect, and conducting

Now, then, she could not possibly retire immediately, unless she meant to violate every common principle of

Her hand was still clasped in Flodoardo's; but it was so natural for him to take it, that she could not blame

him for having done so. But what was she next to do? Draw her hand away? Why should she, since he did her

hand no harm by keeping it, and the keeping it seemed to make him so happy? And how could the gentle

Rosabella resolve to commit an act of such unheardof cruelty as wilfully to deprive any one of a pleasure

"Signora," said Flodoardo, merely for the sake of saying something, "you do well to enjoy the open air. The

"By no means," answered Flodoardo; and there this interesting conversation came to a full stop. Both looked

down; both examined the heaven and the earth, the trees and the flowers, in the hopes of finding some hints

for renewing the conversation; but the more anxiously they sought them, the more difficult did it seem to find

what they sought; and in this painful embarrassment did two whole precious minutes elapse.

"Ah, what a beautiful flower!" suddenly cried Rosabella, in order to break the silence, then stooped and

plucked a violet with an appearance of the greatest eagerness, though, in fact, nothing at that moment could

"It is a very beautiful flower, indeed," gravely observed Flodoardo, and was out of all patience with himself

"Nothing can surpass this purple," continued Rosabella; "red and blue so happily blended, that no painter can

"Red and bluethe one the symbol of happiness, the other of affection. Ah, Rosabella! how enviable will be

that man's lot on whom your hand shall bestow such a flower. Happiness and affection are not more

"Might I but know on whom Rosabella will one day bestow what that flower expresses. Yet, this is a subject

which I have no right to discuss. I know not what has happened to me today. I make nothing but blunders

and mistakes. Forgive my presumption, lady. I will hazard such forward inquiries no more."

But though they could forbid their lips to betray their hidden affection; though Rosabella said not"Thou art

he on whom this flower shall be bestowed:" though Flodoardo's words had not expressed"Rosabella, give

me that violet, and that which it implies"oh, their eyes were far from being silent. Those treacherous

interpreters of secret feelings acknowledged more to each other than their hearts had yet acknowledged to

Flodoardo and Rosabella gazed on each other with looks which made all speech unnecessary. Sweet, tender,

and enthusiastic was the smile which played around Rosabella's lips when her eyes met those of the youth

whom she had selected from the rest of mankind; and with mingled emotions of hope and fear did the youth

study the meaning of that smile. He understood it, and his heart beat louder, and his eye flamed brighter.

Rosabella trembled; her eyes could no longer sustain the fire of his glances, and a modest blush overspread

"Rosabella!" at length murmured Flodoardo, unconsciously; "Flodoardo!" sighed Rosabella, in the same tone.

"Give me that violet!" he exclaimed, eagerly, then sank at her feet, and in a tone of the most humble

"Ask for it what thou wilt. If a throne can purchase it, I will pay that price, or perish. Rosabella, give me that

"My repose, my happiness, my lifenay, even my glory, all depend on the possession of that little flower.

Let that be mine, and here I solemnly renounce all else which the world calls precious."

The word "beggar" recalled to her memory Camilla and her prudent counsels. "What am I doing?" she said to

herself. "Have I forgotten my promise, my resolution? Fly, Rosabella, fly, or this hour makes you faithless to

"I understand you, Flodoardo," said she; "and having understood you, will never suffer this subject to be

renewed. Here let us part, and let me not again be offended by a similar presumption. Farewell!"

She turned from him with disdain, and left Flodoardo rooted to his place with sorrow and astonishment.

Scarcely had she reached her chamber ere Rosabella repented her having acted so courageously. It was cruel

in her, she thought, to have given him so harsh an answer. She recollected with what hopeless and

melancholy looks the poor thunderstruck youth had followed her steps as she turned to leave him. She

fancied that she saw him stretched despairing on the earth, his hair dishevelled, his eyes filled with tears. She

heard him term her the murderess of his repose, pray for death as his only refuge; and she saw him with every

moment approach towards the attainment of his prayer through the tears which he shed on her account.

Already she heard those dreadful words"Flodoardo is no more." Already she saw the sympathising

multitude weep round the tomb of him whom all the virtuous loved, and whom the wicked dreaded; whom all

"Alas! alas!" cried she, "this was but a wretched attempt to play the heroine. Already does my resolution fail

me. Ah, Flodoardo! I meant not what I said. I love youlove you now, and must love you always, though

In a few days after this interview she understood that an extraordinary alteration had taken place in

Flodoardo's manner and appearance; that he had withdrawn himself from all general society; and that when

the solicitations of his intimate friends compelled him to appear in their circle, his spirits seemed evidently

This intelligence was like the stroke of a poniard to the feeling heart of Rosabella. She fled for shelter to the

solitude of her chamber, there indulged her feelings without restraint, and lamented, with showers of

The grief which preyed in secret on her soul soon undermined her health. No one could relieve her sufferings,

for no one knew the cause of her melancholy, or the origin of her illness. No wonder, then, that Rosabella's

situation at length excited the most bitter anxiety in the bosom of her venerable uncle. No wonder, too, that

Flodoardo entirely withdrew himself from a world which was become odious to him, since Rosabella was to

be seen in it no longer; and that he devoted himself in solitude to the indulgence of a passion which he had

vainly endeavoured to subdue, and which, in the impetuosity of its course, had already swallowed up every

But let us for the moment turn from the sick chamber of Rosabella, and visit the dwellings of the

conspirators, who were now advancing with rapid strides towards the execution of their plans; and who, with

every hour that passed over their heads, became more numerous, more powerful, and more dangerous to

Parozzi, Memmo, Contarino, Falieri, the chiefs of this desperate undertaking, now assembled frequently in

the Cardinal Gonzaga's palace, where different plans for altering the constitution of Venice were brought

forward and discussed. But in all different schemes it was evident that the proposer was solely actuated by

considerations of private interest. The object of one was to get free from the burden of enormous debts;

another was willing to sacrifice everything to gratify his inordinate ambition. The cupidity of THIS man was

excited by the treasures of Andreas and his friends; while THAT was actuated by resentment of some fancied

These execrable wretches, who aimed at nothing less than the total overthrow of Venice, or at least of her

government, looked towards the completion of their extravagant hopes with the greater confidence, since a

new but necessary addition to the already existing taxes had put the Venetian populace out of humour with

Rich enough, both in adherents and in wealth, to realise their projects, rich enough in bold, shrewd, desperate

men, whose minds were well adapted to the contrivance and execution of revolutionary projects, they now

looked down with contempt upon the good old Doge, who as yet entertained no suspicion of their nocturnal

Still did they not dare to carry their projects into effect, till some principal persons in the State should be

prevented by DEATH from throwing obstacles in their way. For the accomplishment of this part of their plan

they relied on the daggers of the banditti. Dreadful therefore was the sound in their ears, when the bell gave

the signal for execution, and they saw their bestfounded hopes expire on the scaffold, which supported the

headless trunks of the four bravoes. But if their consternation was great at thus losing the destined

instruments of their designs, how extravagant was their joy when the proud Abellino dared openly to declare

to Venice that he still inhabited the Republic, and that he still wore a dagger at the disposal of Vice.

"This desperado is the very man for us!" they exclaimed unanimously, and in rapture; and now their most

Their object was soon attainedthey sought the daring ruffian, and he suffered himself to be found. He

visited their meetings, but in his promises and demands he was equally extravagant.

The first and most earnest wish of the whole conspiracy was the death of Conari, the Procurator, a man whom

the Doge valued beyond all others, a man whose eagle eyes made the conspirators hourly tremble for their

secret, and whose service the Doge had accepted, in preference to those of the Cardinal Gonzaga. But the sum

"Give me the reward which I require," said he, "and I promise, on the word of a man of honour, that after this

night the Procurator, Conari, shall give you no further trouble. Exalt him to heaven, or imprison him in hell,

What could they do? Abellino was not a man to be easily beat down in his demands. The Cardinal was

impatient to attain the summit of his wishes; but his road lay straight over Conari's grave!

Abellino received the sum demanded; the next day the venerable Conari, the Doge's best and dearest friend,

the pride and safeguard of the Republic, was no longer numbered among the living.

"'Tis a terrible fellow, this Abellino!" cried the conspirators, when the news reached them, and celebrated the

The Doge was almost distracted with terror and astonishment. He engaged to give ten thousand sequins to

any one who should discover by whom Conari had been removed from the world. A proclamation to this

effect was published at the corner of every street in Venice, and made known throughout the territories of the

Republic. A few days after this proclamation had been made, a paper was discovered affixed to the principal

"You would fain know the author of Conari's death. To spare you much fruitless trouble, I hereby

"Twice did I bury my dagger in his heart, and then sent his body to feed the fishes. The Doge promises TEN

thousand sequins to him who shall discover Conari's murderer; and to him who shall be clever enough to

SEIZE him, Abellino hereby promises TWENTY. Adieu, Signors. I remain your faithful servant,

It must be superfluous to inform my readers that all Venice became furious at this new insolence. Within the

memory of man had no one ever treated with such derision the celebrated Venetian police, or set the Doge's

power at defiance with such proud temerity. This occurrence threw the whole city into confusion; every one

was on the lookout; the patrols were doubled; the sbirri extended their researches on all sides; yet no one

The priests in their sermons strove to rouse the slumbering vengeance of Heaven to crush this insolent

offender. The ladies were ready to swoon at the very name of Abellino, for who could assure them that, at

some unexpected moment, he might not pay THEM the same compliment which he had paid to Rosabella?

As for the old women, they unanimously asserted that Abellino had sold himself to the Prince of Darkness,

by whose assistance he was enabled to sport with the patience of all pious Venetians, and deride the

impotence of their just indignation. The Cardinal and his associates were proud of their terrible confederate,

and looking forward with confidence to the triumphant issue of their undertaking. The deserted family of

Conari called down curses on his murderer's head, and wished that their tears might be changed into a sea of

sulphur, in whose waves they might plunge the monster Abellino; nor did Conari's relations feel more grief

for his loss than the Doge and his two confidants, who swore never to rest till they had discovered the

lurkingplace of this ruthless assassin, and had punished his crime with tenfold vengeance.

"Yet, after all," said Andreas one evening, as he sat alone in his private chamber, "after all, it must be

confessed that this Abellino is a singular man. He who can do what Abellino has done must possess both such

talents and such courage as, stood he at the head of an army, would enable him to conquer half the world.

"Look up, then!" roared Abellino, and clapped the Doge on the shoulder. Andreas started from his seat. A

colossal figure stood before him, wrapped in a dark mantle above which appeared a countenance so hideous

"Thou seest me, and canst doubt? Well, then, I am Abellino, the good friend of your murdered Conari, the

The brave Andreas, who had never trembled in fight by land or by sea, and for whom no danger had

possessed terrors sufficient to shake his undaunted resolution, the brave Andreas now forgot for a few

moments his usual presence of mind. Speechless did he gaze on the daring assassin, who stood before him

Abellino nodded to him with an air of familiar protection, and graciously condescended to grin upon him

"Abellino," said the Doge, at length, endeavouring to recollect himself, "thou art a fearfula detestable

"Fearful?" answered the bravo; "dost thou think me so? Good, that glads me to the very heart! Detestable?

that may be so, or it may not. I confess, the sign which I hang out gives no great promise of good

entertainment within; but yet, Andreas, one thing is certain. You and I stand on the same line, for at this

"Nay, nay," continued Abellino, "no smiles of disbelief, if you please. Allow me, though a bravo, to compare

myself to a Doge; truly, I think there's no great presumption in placing myself on a level with a man whom I

"Not so fast," said Abellino, laughing rudely, and he barred the Doge's passage. "Accident seldom unites in

so small a space as this chamber a pair of such great men. Stay where you are, for I have not done with you

"Hear me, Abellino," said the Doge, mustering up all the dignity which he possessed; "thou hast received

great talents from Nature: why dost thou employ them to so little advantage? I here promise you, on my most

sacred word, pardon for the past, and protection for the future, will you but name to me the villain who bribed

you to assassinate Conari, abjure your bloody trade, and accept an honest employment in the service of the

Republic. If this offer is rejected, at least quit with all speed the territory of Venice, or I swear"

"Ho! ho!" interrupted Abellino; "pardon and protection, say you? It is long since I thought it worth my while

to care for such trifles. Abellino is able to protect himself without foreign aid; and, as to pardon, mortals

cannot give absolution for sins like mine. On that day, when all men must give in the list of their offences,

then, too, will I give in mine, but till then never. You would know the name of him who bribed me to be

Conari's murderer? Well, well, you shall know it, but not today. I must quit with all speed the Venetian

territory? and wherefore; through fear of thee? Ho! ho! Through fear of Venice? Ha, Abellino fears not

Venice; 'tis Venice that fears Abellino! You would have me abjure my profession? Well, Andreas, there is

"Name it," cried the Doge, eagerly; "will ten thousand sequins purchase your departure from the Republic?"

"I would gladly give you twice as much myself, could you recall the insult of offering Abellino so miserable

a bribe! No, Andreas, but one price can pay me: give me your niece for my bride. I love Rosabella, the

"Ho! ho! Patience, patience, good uncle, that is to be. Will you accept my terms?"

"Name what sum will satisfy you, and it shall be yours this instant, so you will only relieve Venice from your

presence. Though it should cost the Republic a million she will be a gainer, if her air is no longer poisoned by

"Indeed! Why, in fact, a million is not so great a sum; for look you, Andreas, I have just sold for near HALF

a million the lives of your two dear friends, Manfrone and Lomellino. Now give me Rosabella, and I break

"You will not? Mark me! In fourandtwenty hours shall Manfrone and Lomellino be food for fishes.

And with these words he drew a pistol from under his cloak, and flashed it in the Doge's face. Blinded by the

powder, and confused by the unexpected explosion, Andreas started back, and sunk bewildered on a

neighbouring sofa. He soon recovered from his astonishment. He sprang from his seat to summon his guards

On that same evening were Parozzi and his confederates assembled in the palace of the Cardinal Gonzaga.

The table was spread with the most luxurious profusion, and they arranged over their flowing goblets plans

for the Republic's ruin. The Cardinal related how he had of late contrived to insinuate himself into the Doge's

good graces, and had succeeded in impressing him with an opinion that the chiefs of the confederacy were fit

men to hold offices of important trust. Contarino boasted that he doubted not before long to be appointed to

the vacant procuratorship. Parozzi reckoned for HIS share upon Rosabella's hand, and the place either of

Lomellino or Manfrone, when once those two chief obstacles to his hope should be removed. Such was the

conversation in which they were engaged, when the clock struck twelve, the doors flew wide, and Abellino

"Wine, there!" cried he; "the work is done. Manfrone and Lomellino are at supper with the worms. And I

have thrown the Doge himself into such a fit of terror that I warrant he will not recover himself easily. Now

Rosabella, the idol of all Venice, lay on the bed of sickness; a sorrow, whose cause was carefully concealed

from every one, undermined her health, and destroyed the bloom of her beauty. She loved the noble

Flodoardo; and who could have known Flodoardo and not have loved him? His majestic stature, his

expressive countenance, his enthusiastic glance, his whole being declared aloudFlodoardo is Nature's

But if Rosabella was ill, Flodoardo was scarcely better. He confined himself to his own apartment; he

shunned society, and frequently made long journeys to different cities of the Republic, in hopes of distracting

his thoughts by change of place from that object which, wherever he went, still pursued him. He had now

been absent for three whole weeks. No one knew in what quarter he was wandering; and it was during this

absence that the solong expected Prince of Monaldeschi arrived at Venice to claim Rosabella as his bride.

His appearance, to which a month before Andreas looked forward with such pleasing expectation, now

afforded but little satisfaction to the Doge. Rosabella was too ill to receive her suitor's visits, and he did not

allow her much time to recover her health; for six days after his arrival at Venice the Prince was found

murdered in a retired part of one of the public gardens. His sword lay by him unsheathed and bloody; his

tablets were gone, but one leaf had been torn from them and fastened on his breast. It was examined, and

"Let no one pretend to Rosabella's hand, who is not prepared to share the fate of Monaldeschi. "The Bravo,

"Oh, where shall I now fly for comfort? for protection?" exclaimed the Doge in despair, when this dreadful

Anxiously did he now desire the youth's return, to support him under the weight of these heavy misfortunes;

"Welcome, noble youth!" said the Doge, when he saw the Florentine enter his apartment. "You must not in

future deprive me of your presence for so long. I am now a poor forsaken old man. You have heard that

"Satan has burst his chains, and now inhabits Venice under the name of Abellino, robbing me of all that my

soul holds precious. Flodoardo, for Heaven's love, be cautious; often, during your absence, have I trembled

lest the miscreant's dagger should have deprived me too of YOU. I have much to say to you, my young

friend, but I must defer it till the evening. A foreigner of consequence has appointed this hour for an

He was interrupted by the appearance of Rosabella, who, with tottering steps and pale cheeks, advanced

slowly into the apartment. She saw Flodoardo, and a faint blush overspread her countenance. Flodoardo rose

"Do not go yet," said the Doge; "perhaps in half an hour I may be at liberty: in the meanwhile I leave you to

entertain my poor Rosabella. She has been very ill during your absence; and I am still uneasy about her

health. She kept her bed till yesterday, and truly I think she has left it too soon."

The venerable Doge quitted the apartment, and the lovers once more found themselves alone. Rosabella drew

"I am not angry with you," stammered out Rosabella, and blushed as she recollected the garden scene.

"Your transgression?" repeated Rosabella, with a faint smile; "yes, if it was a transgression, I have quite

forgiven it. Dying people ought to pardon those who have trespassed against them, in order that they, in their

turn, may be pardoned their trespasses against Heavenand I am dying; I feel it."

"Nay, 'tis past a doubt. It's true, I have quitted my sickbed since yesterday; but I know well that I am soon to

return to it, never to leave it more. And thereforetherefore, I now ask your pardon, signor, for the vexation

"Will you not forgive me? You must be very difficult to appease very revengeful!"

"Forgotten, lady? Never, neverevery word and look of yours is stamped on my memory, never to be

effaced. I cannot forget a transaction in which YOU bore a part: I cannot forget the scene that passed between

us, every circumstance is too precious and sacred. As to PARDON"he took her extended hand and pressed

it respectfully to his lips"I would to Heaven, dear lady, that you had in truth injured me much, that I might

Both were now silent. At length Rosabella resumed the conversation by saying"You have made a long

"Count Flodoardo," she interrupted him with a look of reprehension, but in a gentle voice, "would you again

"That will soon be out of my power. Perhaps you can guess what are my present intentions."

"No more?" she repeated, eagerly. "Oh, not so, Flodoardo! Ah, can you leave me?"She stopped, ashamed

of her imprudence. "Can you leave my uncle? I meant to say. You do but jest, I doubt not."

"To Malta, and assist the knights in their attacks upon the corsairs of Barbary. Providence, perhaps, may

enable me to obtain the command of a galley, then will I call my vessel 'Rosabella;' then shall the warcry be

"Oh! this is a mockery, Count. I have not deserved that you should sport with my feelings so cruelly."

"It is to SPARE your feelings, signora, that I am now resolved to fly from Venice; my presence might cause

you some uneasy moments. I am not the happy man whose sight is destined to give you pleasure; I will, at

"And you really can resolve to abandon the Doge, whose esteem for you is so sincere, whose friendship has

"I value his friendship highly, but it is not sufficient to make me happy, and could he lay kingdoms at my

"It doesmuch more than I have mentioned, infinitely more. But one boon can make me happy; I have

begged for it on my knees." He caught her hand and pressed it eagerly to his lips. "I have begged for it,

"You are a strange enthusiast," she said with difficulty, and scarcely knew what she said, while Flodoardo

drew her gently nearer to him, and murmured in a supplicating voice, "Rosabella!"

She gazed upon him for a moment undecided, then hastily drew away her hand, and exclaimed, "Leave me,

Flodoardo clasped his hands together in despair and anguish. He bowed his head in token of obedience. He

left her with slow steps and a melancholy air, and as he passed the threshold, turned to bid her farewell for

ever. Suddenly she rushed towards him, caught his hand, and pressed it to her heart.

And now who was so blessed as the fortunate Flodoardo? The victory was his own, he had heard the

wishedfor sentence pronounced by the lips of Rosabella. He raised her from the ground, and placed her on a

sofa. Her blue eyes soon unclosed themselves once more, and the first object which they beheld was

Flodoardo kneeling at her feet, while with one arm he encircled her waist. Her head sank upon the shoulder of

the man for whom she had breathed so many sighs, who had occupied so many of her thoughts by day, who

As they gazed in silent rapture on each other, they forgot that they were mortals; they seemed to be

transported to a happier, to a better world. Rosabella thought that the chamber in which she sat was

transformed into an earthly Paradise; invisible seraphs seemed to hallow by their protecting presence the

indulgence of her innocent affection, and she poured forth her secret thanks to Him who had given her a heart

Through the whole course of man's existence, such a moment as this occurs but once. Happy is he who sighs

for its arrival; happy is he who, when it arrives, has a soul worthy of its enjoyment; happy is even he for

whom that moment has long been passed, so it passed not unenjoyed, for the recollection of it still is

precious. Sage philosophers, in vain do you assure us that the raptures of a moment like this are mere

illusions of a heated imagination, scarcely more solid than an enchanting dream, which fades before the

sunbeams of truth and reason. Alas! does there exist a happiness under the moon which owes not its charms

"You are dear to me, Flodoardo," murmured Rosabella, for Camilla and her counsels were quite forgotten;

The youth only thanked her by clasping her still closer to his bosom, while, for the first time, he sealed her

At that moment the door was suddenly thrown open. The Doge Andreas reentered the apartment: the

expected stranger had been suddenly taken ill, and Andreas was no sooner at liberty than he hastened to

rejoin his favourite. The rustling of his garments roused the lovers from their dream of bliss. Rosabella started

from Flodoardo's embrace with a cry of terror; Flodoardo quitted his kneeling posture, yet seemed by no

Andreas gazed upon them for some minutes, with a look which expressed at once anger, melancholy, and the

most heartfelt disappointment. He sighed deeply, cast his eyes towards heaven, and in silence turned to leave

The Doge turned, and Flodoardo threw himself at his feet. Andreas looked down with calm and serious

dignity on the kneeling offender, by whom his friendship had been so unworthily rewarded, and by whom his

"Young man," said he, in a stern voice, "the attempt to excuse yourself must be fruitless."

"Excuse myself!" interrupted Flodoardo, boldly; "no, my lord, I need no excuses for loving Rosabella; 'twere

for him to excuse himself who had seen Rosabella and NOT loved her; yet, if it is indeed a crime in me that I

adore Rosabella, 'tis a crime of which Heaven itself will absolve me, since it formed Rosabella so worthy to

"You seem to lay too much stress on this fantastic apology," answered the Doge, contemptuously; "at least

"I say it once more, my lord," resumed Flodoardo, while he rose from the ground, "that I intend to make no

apology; I mean not to excuse my love for Rosabella, but to request your approbation of that love. Andreas, I

"It is true," continued the Florentine, "I am no more than a needy, unknown youth, and it seems a piece of

strange temerity when such a man proposes himself to espouse the heiress of the Venetian Doge. But, by

Heaven, I am confident that the great Andreas means not to bestow his Rosabella on one of those whose

claims to favour are overflowing coffers, extensive territories, and sounding titles, or who vainly decorate

their insignificance with the glory obtained by the titles of their ancestors, glory of which they are themselves

incapable of acquiring a single ray. I acknowledge freely that I have as yet performed no actions which make

me deserving of such a reward as Rosabella; but it shall not be long ere I WILL perform such actions, or

"Oh, be not incensed with him, dear uncle," said Rosabella. She hastened to detain the Doge, threw her white

arms around his neck fondly, and concealed in his bosom the tears with which her countenance was bedewed.

"Make your demands," continued Flodoardo, still addressing himself to the Doge; "say what you wish me to

do, and what you would have me become, in order to obtain from you the hand of Rosabella. Ask what you

will, I will look on the task, however difficult, as nothing more than sport and pastime. By Heaven, I would

that Venice were at this moment exposed to the most imminent danger, and that ten thousand daggers were

unsheathed against your life; Rosabella my rewardhow certain should I be to rescue Venice, and strike the

"I have served the Republic faithfully and fervently for many a long year," answered Andreas, with a bitter

smile; "I have risked my life without hesitation; I have shed my blood with profusion; I asked nothing for my

reward but to pass my old age in soft tranquillity, and of this reward have I been cheated. My bosom friends,

the companions of my youth, the confidants of my age, have been torn from me by the daggers of banditti;

and you, Flodoardo, you, on whom I heaped all favours, have now deprived me of this my only remaining

comfort. Answer me, Rosabella; hast thou in truth bestowed thy heart on Flodoardo irrevocably?"

One hand of Rosabella's still rested on her uncle's shoulder; with the other she clasped Flodoardo's and

pressed it fondly against her heartyet Flodoardo seemed still unsatisfied. No sooner had the Doge's

question struck his ear, than his countenance became dejected; and though his hand returned the pressure of

Rosabella's, he shook his head mournfully, with an air of doubt, and cast on her a penetrating look, as would

Andreas withdrew himself gently from Rosabella's arm, and for some time paced the apartment slowly, with

a countenance sad and earnest. Rosabella sank upon a sofa which stood near her, and wept. Flodoardo eyed

Thus passed some minutes. An awful silence reigned through the chamber; Andreas seemed to be labouring

with some resolution of dreadful importance. The lovers wished, yet dreaded, the conclusion of the scene,

"Flodoardo!" at length said the Doge, and suddenly stood still in the middle of the chamber. Flodoardo

advanced with a respectful air. "Young man," he continued, "I am at length resolved; Rosabella loves you,

nor will I oppose the decision of her heart; but Rosabella is much too precious to admit of my bestowing her

on the first who thinks fit to demand her. The man to whom I give her must be worthy such a gift. She must

be the reward of his services; nor can he do services so great that such a reward will not overpay them. Your

claims on the Republic's gratitude are as yet but trifling; an opportunity now offers of rendering as an

essential service. The murderer of Conari, Manfrone, and Lomellinogo, bring him hither! Alive or dead,

At this unexpected conclusion of a speech on which his happiness or despair depended, Flodoardo started

"I know well," interrupted Andreas, "how difficult a task I enjoin, when I require the delivery of Abellino.

For myself I swear that I had rather a thousand times force my passage with a single vessel through the whole

Turkish fleet, and carry off the admiral's ship from the midst of them, than attempt to seize this Abellino, who

seems to have entered into a compact with Lucifer himself: who is to be found everywhere and nowhere;

whom so many have seen, but whom no one knows; whose cautious subtlety has brought to shame the

vigilance of our State inquisitors, of the 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 I am induced to make such a demand. If any one is able to cope with

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

Flodoardo.Should I deliver Abellino into your power, do you solemnly swear that Rosabella shall be my

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 the detested monster, whose dagger

Flodoardo (interrupting her hastily).Oh! silence, Rosabellaat 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

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. In pledge of which I here give you my princely hand.

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.

"Time flies!" cried Flodoardo; "no more delay, then. In fourand twenty hours will I produce in this very

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

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 tomorrow, at this time and in this place, with the representation of a comedy; but should it prove

Andreas.Remember that too much haste is dangerous; rashness will destroy even the frail hopes of success

Flodoardo.Rashness, my lord? He who has lived as I have lived, and suffered what I have suffered, must

Rosabella (taking his hand).Yet be not too confident of your own strength, I beseech you! Dear Flodoardo,

Flodoardo.The best way to escape his dagger is not to allow him time to use it: within fourandtwenty

hours must the deed be done, or never. Now, then, illustrious Prince, I take my leave of you. Tomorrow I

Flodoardo.Ah, that must dependHe 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

"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 tomorrow 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 he invited, in order that they may at last he

brought face to face with this terrible Abellino, against whom they have so long been engaged in fruitless

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

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

nobilityParozzi, 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

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 the 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

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

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

"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

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

Parozzi.Such vagabonds may well be cautious; they must not forget themselves, who have so much to

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

Parozzi.Oh, wait till tomorrow, and then he may make love to the devil and his grandmother, if he likes

Contarino.It is strange that, in spite of all inquiries, 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.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

Memmo.I only hope there is no trick in all this. If he should have been given a hint of our conspiracy!

Gonzaga.Absurd! By what means should our designs have been made known to him? The thing is

Memmo.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

Contarino.Simpleton! the same thing happens to him which happens to betrayed husbands. Everyone can

see the horns except the man who carries them. And yet I confess it is full time that we should realise our

Falieri.You are right, friend; everything is ready now. The sooner that the blow is struck the better.

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

Contarino.Then let us decide the game at once; be tomorrow 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

everything into uproar and confusion, or else we shall sail with a full wind from this cursed world to another.

Memmo.Aye, aye! Fine talking, but suppose it should turn out to be down with ourselves?

Falieri.Thou whitelivered wretch! Stay at home, then, and take care of your worthless existence. But if

our attempt succeeds, come not to us to reimburse you for the sums which you have already advanced. Not a

Memmo.You wrong me, Falieri; if you wish to prove my courage, draw your sword and measure it against

mine. I am as brave as yourself; but, thank Heaven, I am not quite so hotheaded.

Gonzaga.Nay, even suppose that the event should not answer our expectations? Andreas once dead, let the

populace storm as it pleases; the protection of his Holiness will sanction our proceedings.

Gonzaga (throwing him a letter).Read there, unbeliever. The Pope, I tell you, must protect us, since one of

our objects is professed to be the assertion of the rights of St. Peter's Chair in Venice. Prithee, Memmo, tease

us no more with such doubts, but let Contarino's proposal be adopted at once. Our confederates must be

summoned to Parozzi's palace with all diligence, and there furnished with such weapons as are necessary. Let

the stroke of midnight be the signal for Contarino's quitting the ballroom, and hastening to seize the arsenal.

Salviati, who commands there, is in our interest, and will throw open the gates at the first summons.

Falieri.The admiral Adorna, as soon as he hears the alarmbell, will immediately lead his people to our

Contarino.Only let us take care to make the confusion as general as possible. Our adversaries must be kept

in the dark who are their friends and who their foes, and all but our own party must be left ignorant as to the

Parozzi.Heaven, I am delighted at finding the business at length so near the moment of execution!

Falieri.Parozzi, have you distributed the white ribbons by which we are to recognise our partisans?

Contarino.Then there is no more necessary to be said on the subject. Comrades, fill your goblets. We will

Memmo.And yet methinks it would not be unwise to consider the matter over again coolly.

Contarino.Pshaw! consideration and prudence have nothing to do with a rebellion; despair and rashness in

this case are better counsellors. The work once begun, the constitution of Venice once boldly overturned, so

that no one can tell who is master and who is subject, then consideration will be of service in instructing us

how far it may be necessary for our interest to push the confusion. Come, friends! fill, fill, I say. I cannot help

laughing when I reflect that, by giving this entertainment tomorrow, the Doge himself kindly affords us an

Parozzi.As to Flodoardo, I look upon him already as in his grave; yet before we go tomorrow to the

Contarino.That care we will leave to you, Parozzi, and in the meanwhile here's the health of Abellino.

Parozzi.The wine tastes well, and every face looks gay; pass eightandforty hours, and shall we look as

gaily? We separate smiling; shall we smile when two nights hence we meet again? No matter.

The next morning everything in Venice seemed as tranquil as if nothing more than ordinary was on the point

of taking place; and yet, since her first foundation, never had a more important day risen on the Republic.

The inhabitants of the ducal palace were in motion early. The impatient Andreas forsook the couch on which

he had passed a sleepless and anxious night, as soon as the first sunbeams penetrated through the lattice of his

chamber. Rosabella had employed the hours of rest in dreams of Flodoardo, and she still seemed to be

dreaming of him, even after sleep was fled. Camilla's love for her fair pupil had broken her repose; she loved

Rosabella as had she been her daughter, and was aware that on this interesting day depended the lovesick

girl's whole future happiness. For some time Rosabella was unusually gay; she sang to her harp the most

lively airs, and jested with Camilla for looking so serious and so uneasy; but when midday approached, her

spirits began to forsake her. She quitted her instrument, and paced the chamber with unsteady steps. With

every succeeding hour her heart palpitated with greater pain and violence, and she trembled in expectation of

The most illustrious persons in Venice already filled her uncle's palace; the afternoon so much dreaded, and

yet so much desired, was come; and the Doge now desired Camilla to conduct his niece to the great saloon,

where she was expected with impatience by all those who were of most consequence in the Republic.

Rosabella sank on her knees before a statue of the Virgin. "Blessed Lady!" she exclaimed, with lifted hands,

Pale as death did she enter the chamber in which, on the day before, she had acknowledged her love for

Flodoardo, and Flodoardo had sworn to risk his life to obtain her. Flodoardo was not yet arrived.

The assembly was brilliant, the conversation was gay. They talked over the politics of the day, and discussed

the various occurrences of Europe. The Cardinal and Contarino were engaged in a conference with the Doge,

while Memmo, Parozzi, and Falieri stood silent together, and revolved the project whose execution was to

The weather was dark and tempestuous. The wind roared among the waters of the canal, and the vanes of the

palacetowers creaked shrilly and discordantly. One storm of rain followed hard upon another.

The clock struck four. The cheeks of Rosabella, if possible, became paler than before. Andreas whispered

something to his chamberlain. In a few minutes the tread of armed men seemed approaching the doors of the

Instantly a sudden silence reigned through the whole assembly. The young courtiers broke off their

lovespeeches abruptly, and the ladies stopped in their criticisms upon the last new fashions. The statesmen

dropped their political discussions, and gazed on each other in silence and anxiety.

The Doge advanced slowly into the midst of the assembly. Every eye was fixed upon him. The hearts of the

"Be not surprised, my friends," said Andreas, "at these unusual precautions; they relate to nothing which need

interfere with the pleasures of this society. You have all heard but too much of the bravo Abellino, the

murderer of the Procurator Conari, and of my faithful counsellors Manfrone and Lomellino, and to whose

dagger my illustrious guest the Prince of Monaldeschi has but lately fallen a victim. This miscreant, the

object of aversion to every honest man in Venice, to whom nothing is sacred or venerable, and who has

hitherto set at defiance the whole vengeance of the Republicbefore another hour expires, perhaps this

Andreas.No, not of his own accord, in truth. But Flodoardo of Florence has undertaken to render this

important service to the Republic, to seize Abellino, cost what it may, and conduct him hither at the risk of

A Senator.The engagement will be difficult to fulfil. I doubt much Flodoardo's keeping his promise.

Another.But if he SHOULD perform it, the obligation which Flodoardo will lay upon the Republic will not

A Third.Nay, we shall be all his debtors, nor do I know how we can reward Flodoardo for so important a

Andreas.Be that my task. Flodoardo has demanded my niece in marriage if he performs his promise.

All gazed on each other in silence; some with looks expressing the most heartfelt satisfaction, and others with

Parozzi (smiling contemptuously).It's very likely that Abellino should suffer himself to be caught!

Contarino.Pray inform me, signors, have any of you ever met this Abellino face to face?

A Senator.He is a kind of spectre, who only appears now and then, when he is least expected and desired.

Andreas.And my interview with him is too well known to make it needful for me to relate it.

Memmo.I have heard a thousand stories about this miscreant, the one more wonderful than the other; and

for my own part I verily believe that he is Satan himself in a human form. I must say that I think it would be

wiser not to let him be brought in among us, for he is capable of strangling us all as we stand here, one after

"Gracious Heaven!" screamed several of the ladies, "you don't say so? What, strangle us in this very

Contarino.The principal point is, whether Flodoardo will get the better of HIM, or HE of Flodoardo. Now I

would lay a heavy wager that the Florentine will return without having finished the business.

A Senator.And _I_ would engage, on the contrary, that there is but one man in Venice who is capable of

seizing Abellino, and that THAT man is Flodoardo of Florence. The moment that I became acquainted with

him, I prophesied that one day or other he would play a brilliant part in the annals of history.

Another Senator.I think with you, signor. Never was I so struck with a man at first sight as I was with

Contarino.A thousand sequins on Abellino's not being taken, unless death should have taken him first.

Contarino.Illustrious signors, you are witnesses of the wager. My Lord Vitalba, there is my hand on it. A

Contarino (smiling).Many thanks for your gold, signor. I look on it as already in my purse. Flodoardo is a

clever gentleman, no doubt, yet I would advise him to take good care of himself; for he will find that

Gonzaga.May I request your Highness to inform me whether Flodoardo is attended by the sbirri?

Andreas.No, he is alone. Near fourandtwenty hours have elapsed since he set out in pursuit of the bravo.

Gonzaga (to Contarino, with a smile of triumph).I wish you joy of your thousand sequins, signor.

Contarino (bowing respectfully).Since your Excellency prophesies it I can no longer doubt my success.

Threeandtwenty hours had elapsed since Flodoardo had entered into the rash engagement. The

The Doge became uneasy. The senator Vitalba began to tremble for his thousand sequins, and the

conspirators could not restrain their spiteful laughter, when Contarino gravely declared that he would gladly

lose, not ONE thousand sequins, but twenty, if the loss of his wager through Abellino's being captured might

All listened to the chimes in the tower of St. Mark's Church, and trembled as they counted the strokes. Had

not Camilla supported her, Rosabella would have sank upon the ground. The destined hour was past, and still

The venerable Andreas felt a sincere affection for the Florentine; he shuddered as he dwelt upon the

Rosabella advanced towards her uncle as if she would have spoken to him; but anxiety fettered her tongue,

and tears forced themselves into her eyes. She struggled for a while to conceal her emotions, but the effort

was too much for her. She threw herself on a sofa, wrung her hands, and prayed to the God of mercy for help

The rest of the company either formed groups of whisperers, or strolled up and down the apartment in evident

uneasiness. They would willingly have appeared gay and unconcerned, but they found it impossible to

assume even an affectation of gaiety, and thus elapsed another hour, and still Flodoardo came not.

At that moment the evening sun broke through the clouds, and a ray of its setting glory was thrown full upon

the countenance of Rosabella. She started from the sofa, extended her arms towards the radiant orb, and

exclaimed, while a smile of hope played round her lips, "God is merciful; God will have mercy on me."

Contarino.Was it at five o'clock that Flodoardo engaged to produce Abellino? It is now a full hour beyond

The Senator Vitalba.Let him only produce him at last, and he may be a month beyond his time if he

Andreas.Hark! No. Silence! silence! Surely I hear footsteps approaching the saloon.

The words were scarcely spoken when the folding doors were thrown open, and Flodoardo rushed into the

room enveloped in his mantle. His hair streamed on the air in wild disorder; a deep shade was thrown over his

face by the drooping plumes of his barrette, from which the rain was flowing. Extreme melancholy was

impressed on all his features, and he threw gloomy looks around him as he bowed his head in salutation of

Every one crowded round him; every mouth was unclosed to question him; every eye was fixed on his face as

"Be silent, signor!" interrupted Contarino, sternly; "there is nothing to be afraid of."

"Illustrious Venetians!"it was thus that Flodoardo broke silence, and he spoke with the commanding tone

of a hero"I conclude that his Highness has already made known to you the object of your being thus

assembled. I come to put an end to your anxiety; but first, noble Andreas, I must once more receive the

assurance that Rosabella of Corfu shall become my bride, provided I deliver into your power the bravo

Andreas (examining his countenance with extreme anxiety). Flodoardo, have you succeeded? Is Abellino

Andreas.Bring me Abellino, alive or dead, and she is yours. I swear it beyond the power of retracting, and

Flodoardo (advancing a few paces with a bold air, and speaking in a firm voice).Well, then, Abellino is in

All (in confusion and a kind of uproar).In ours? Merciful heaven! Where is he? Abellino!

Rosabella (pressing Camilla to her bosom). Didst thou hear that, Camilla? Didst thou hear it? The villain still

Andreas.My son, you have bound the Republic to you for ever, and I rejoice that it is to Flodoardo that she

Vitalba.And permit me, noble Florentine, to thank you for this heroic act in the name of the Senate of

Venice. Our first care shall be to seek out a reward proportioned to your merits.

Flodoardo (extending his arms towards Rosabella, with a melancholy air).There stands the only reward for

Andreas (joyfully).And that reward is your own. But where have you left the bloodhound? Conduct him

hither, my son, and let me look at him once more. When I last saw him, he had the insolence to tell me,

"Doge, I am your equal. This narrow chamber now holds the two greatest men in Venice." Now, then, let me

Several of the ladies screamed at hearing this proposal. "For heaven's sake," cried they, "keep the monster

"Noble ladies," said Flodoardo, with a smile, expressing rather sorrow than joy, "you have nothing to

apprehend. Abellino shall do you no harm; but he needs must come hither to claim THE BRAVO'S BRIDE."

"Oh, my best friend," she answered, "how shall I express my thanks to you for having thus put an end to my

terrors? I shall tremble no more at hearing Abellino named. Rosabella shall now be called the Bravo's Bride

Vitalba.Then why do you not produce him? Why do you trifle so long with our impatience?

Flodoardo.Be patient. It's now time that the play should begin. Be seated, noble Andreas. Let all the rest

At that word both old and young, both male and female, with the rapidity of lightning, flew to take shelter

behind Andreas. Every heart beat anxiously; but as to the conspirators, while expecting Abellino's

Grave and tranquil sat the Doge in his chair, like a judge appointed to pass sentence on this King of the

Banditti. The spectators stood around in various groups, all hushed and solemn, as if they were waiting to

receive their final judgment. The lovely Rosabella, with all the security of angels whose innocence have

nothing to fear, reclined her head on Camilla's shoulder and gazed on her heroic lover with looks of

adoration. The conspirators, with pallid cheeks and staring eyes, filled up the background, and a dead and

awful silence prevailed through the assembly, scarcely interrupted by a single breath.

"And now, then," said Flodoardo, "prepare yourselves, for this terrible Abellino shall immediately appear

With these words he turned away from the company, advanced towards the foldingdoors. He paused for a

"Abellino!" cried he at length, raising his head, and extending his arm towards the door. At that name all who

heard it shuddered involuntarily, and Rosabella advanced unconsciously a few steps towards her lover. She

"Abellino!" the Florentine repeated, in a loud and angry tone, threw from him his mantle and barrette, and

had already laid his hand on the lock of the door to open it, when Rosabella uttered a cry of terror.

"Stay, Flodoardo!" she cried, rushing towards him, andHa! Flodoardo was gone, and there, in his place,

Instantly a loud cry of terror resounded through the apartment. Rosabella sank fainting at the bravo's feet; the

conspirators were almost suffocated with rage, terror, and astonishment; the ladies made signs of the cross,

and began in all haste to repeat their paternosters; the senators stood rooted to their places like so many

Calm and terrible stood the bravo before them, in all the pomp of his strange and awful ugliness, with his

bravo's habit, his girdle filled with pistols and poniards, his distorted yellow countenance, his black and

bushy eyebrows, his lips convulsed, his right eye covered by a large patch, and his left half buried among the

wrinkles of flesh which swelled around it. He gazed around him for a few moments in silence, and then

"Ho! ho!" he roared in a voice like thunder, "you wish to see the bravo Abellino? Doge of Venice, here he

Andreas gazed with looks of horror on this model for demons, and at length stammered out with difficulty, "It

"Without there, guards!" exclaimed the Cardinal Gonzaga, and would have hastened to the folding doors,

when Abellino put his back against them, snatched a pistol from his girdle, and pointed it at the Cardinal's

"The first," cried he, "who calls for the guard, or advances one step from the place on which he stands,

expires that moment. Fools! Do ye think I would have delivered myself up, and desired that guards might

beset these doors, had I feared their swords, or intended to escape from your power? No; I am content to be

your prisoner, but not through compulsion! I am content to be your prisoner; and it was with that intent that I

came hither. No mortal should have the glory of seizing Abellino. If justice required him to be delivered up, it

was necessary that he should be delivered up by himself! Or do ye take Abellino for an ordinary ruffian, who

passes his time in skulking from the sbirri, and who murders for the sake of despicable plunder? No, by

heaven, no! Abellino was no such common villain. It's true I was a bravo; but the motives which induced me

An awful silence again reigned through the saloon. All trembled while they listened to the voice of the

terrible assassin, who strode through the chamber proud and majestic as the monarch of the infernal world.

"Oh, God of mercy!" she exclaimed, "he is still there. Methought, too, that Flodoardo . No, no; it could not

Abellino advanced towards her, and attempted to raise her. She shrunk from his touch with horror.

"No, Rosabella," said the bravo, in an altered voice, "what you saw was no illusion. Your favoured Flodoardo

"It is false!" interrupted Rosabella, starting from the ground in despair, and throwing herself for refuge on

Camilla's bosom. "Monster! thou canst not be Flodoardo! such a fiend can never have been such a seraph.

Flodoardo's actions were good and glorious as a demigod's! 'Twas of him that I learned to love good and

glorious actions, and 'twas he who encouraged me to attempt them myself; his heart was pure from all mean

passions, and capable of conceiving all great designs. Never did he scruple, in the cause of virtue, to endure

fatigue and pain, and to dry up the tears of suffering innocencethat was Flodoardo's proudest triumph!

Flodoardo and thou! Wretch, whom many a bleeding ghost has long since accused before the throne of

Abellino (proud and earnest).Rosabella, wilt thou forsake me? Wilt thou retract thy promise? Look,

He said, removing the patch from his eye, and passed a handkerchief over his face once or twice. In an instant

his complexion was altered, his bushy eyebrows and straight black hair disappeared, his features were

replaced in their natural symmetry, and lo! the handsome Florentine stood before the whole assembly,

Abellino.Mark me, Rosabella! Seven times over, and seven times again, will I change my appearance,

even before your eyes, and that so artfully that, study me as you will, the transformation shall deceive you.

But change as I may, of one thing be assured: I am the man whom you loved as Flodoardo.

The Doge gazed and listened without being able to recover from his confusion, but every now and then the

words "Dreadful! dreadful!" escaped from his lips, and he wrung his hands in agony. Abellino approached

Rosabella, and said in the tone of supplication: "Rosabella, wilt thou break thy promise? Am I no longer dear

Rosabella was unable to answer; she stood like one changed to a statue, and fixed her motionless eyes on the

Abellino.Rosabella wilt thou still be the bride of Flodoardo? wilt thou be "the Bravo's Bride?"

Love struggled with abhorrence in Rosabella's bosom, and painful was the contest.

Abellino.Hear me, beloved one! It was for thee that I have discovered myselfthat I have delivered

myself into the hands of justice. For theeoh, what would I not do for thee! Rosabella, I wait but to hear one

syllable from your lips; speak but a decisive yes or no, and all is ended. Rosabella, dost thou love me still?

And still she answered not; but she threw upon him a look innocent and tender as ever beamed from the eye

of an angel, and that look betrayed but too plainly that the miscreant was still master of her heart. She turned

from him hastily, threw herself into Camilla's arms, and exclaimed, "God forgive you, man, for torturing me

The Doge had by this time recovered from his stupor. He started from his chair, threats flashed from his eyes,

and his lips trembled with passion. He rushed towards Abellino; but the senators threw themselves in his

passage, and held him back by force. In the meanwhile the bravo advanced towards him with the most

"Doge of Venice," said he, "will you keep your promise? That you gave it to me, these noble lords and ladies

Andreas.Monster! miscreant! Oh! how artfully has this plan been laid to ensnare me! Tell me, Venetians,

to SUCH a creditor am I obliged to discharge my fearful debt? Long has he been playing a deceitful bloody

part; the bravest of our citizens have fallen beneath his dagger, and it was the price of their blood which has

enabled him to act the nobleman in Venice. Then comes he to me in disguise of a man of honour, seduces the

heart of my unfortunate Rosabella, obtains my promise by an artful trick, and now claims the maiden for his

bride, in the hope that the husband of the Doge's niece will easily obtain an absolution for his crimes. Tell

Abellino (with solemnity).If you have once pledged your word, you ought to keep it, though given to the

Prince of Darkness. Oh, fie, fie! Abellino, how shamefully hast thou been deceived in thy reckoning. I

thought I had to do with men of honour. Oh! how grossly have I been mistaken. (In a terrible voice.)Once

again, and for the last time, I ask you, Doge of Venice, wilt thou break thy princely word?

Abellino.And you will really withhold from me my just reward? Shall it be in vain that I delivered

Andreas.It was to the brave Flodoardo that I promised Rosabella. I never entered into any engagement

with the murderer Abellino. Let Flodoardo claim my niece, and she is his; but Abellino can have no claim to

Abellino (laughing wildly).The murderer Abellino, say you? Ho! ho! Be it your care to keep your own

promises, and trouble not yourself about my murders, they are MY affair, and I warrant I shall find a word or

Abellino.Oh, good Lord Cardinal, intercede in my behalf, you know me well; I have always acted by you

like a man of honour, that at least you cannot deny. Say a word in my favour, then, good Lord Cardinal.

Gonzaga (angrily, and with imperious dignity).Address not thyself to ME, miscreant. What canst thou and

I have to do together? Venerable Andreas, delay no longer; let the guards be called in.

Abellino.What? Is there then no hope for me? Does no one feel compassion for the wretched Abellino?

What! NO ONE?(a pause)All are silent?ALL! 'Tis enough. Then my fate is decidedcall in your

Rosabella (with a scream of agony, springing forward, and falling at the feet of the Doge).Mercy, mercy!

Abellino (in rapture).Sayest thou so? Ho! ho! then an angel prays for Abellino in his last moments.

Rosabella (clasping the Doge's knees).Have mercy on him, my friend, my father, he is a sinner; but leave

him to the justice of Heaven. He is a sinner, but oh, Rosabella loves him still.

Abellino folded his arms, gazed with eagerness on what was passing, and tears gushed into his brilliant eyes.

Rosabella caught the Doge's hand, as he turned to leave her, kissed it twice, and said, "If you have no mercy

on HIM, then have none on ME. The sentence which you pass on Abellino will be mine; 'tis for my own life

that I plead as well as Abellino's. Father, dear father, reject not my suit, but spare him."

Abellino.And can you look on with dry eyes while that innocent dove bleeds at your feet? Go, barbarian;

you never loved Rosabella as she deserved. Now she is yours no longer. She is mine, she is Abellino's.

"Rosabella, thou art mine; death alone can part us. Thou lovest me as I WOULD be loved; I am blest whate'er

He replaced Rosabella, who was almost fainting, on the bosom of Camilla, then advanced into the middle of

"Venetians, you are determined to deliver me up to the axe of justice; there is for me no hope of mercy. 'Tis

well, act as you please; but ere you sit in judgment over ME, signors, I shall take the liberty of passing

sentence upon some few of YOU. Now mark me, you see in me the murderer of Conari, the murderer of

Paolo Manfrone, the murderer of Lomellino. I deny it not. But would you know the illustrious persons who

With these words he put a whistle to his lips, sounded it, and instantly the doors flew open, the guards rushed

in, and ere they had time to recollect themselves, the chief conspirators were in custody, and disarmed.

"Guard them well," said Abellino, in a terrible voice to the sentinels; "you have your orders. Noble

Venetians, look on these villains; it is to them that you are indebted for the loss of your three citizens. I

accuse of those murders one, two, three, four, and my good Lord Cardinal there has the honour to be the

Motionless and bewildered stood the accused; taletelling confusion spoke in every feature that the charge

"What can all this mean?" asked the senators of each other, in the utmost surprise and confusion.

"This is all a shameful artifice," the Cardinal at length contrived to say; "the villain, perceiving that he has no

chance of escaping punishment, is willing, out of mere resentment, to involve us in his destruction."

Contarino (recovering himself ).In the wickedness of his life he has surpassed all former miscreants, and

Abellino (with majesty).Be silent. I know your whole plot, have seen your list of proscriptions, am well

informed of your whole arrangement, and at the moment that I speak to you the officers of justice are

employed, by my orders, in seizing the gentlemen with the white ribbons round their arms, who this very

Abellino.Neither more nor less than that Abellino has discovered and defeated a conspiracy against the

constitution of Venice and the life of its Doge! The bravo, in return for your kind intention of sending him to

Vitalba (to the accused).Noble Venetians, you are silent under this heavy charge.

Abellino.They are wise, for no defence can now avail them. Their troops are already disarmed, and lodged

in separate dungeons of the State prison; visit them there, and you will learn more. You now understand

probably that I did not order the doors of this saloon to be guarded for the purpose of seizing the terrible

And now, Venetians, compare together YOUR conduct and MINE. At the hazard of my life have I preserved

the State from ruin. Disguised as a bravo, I dared to enter the assembly of those ruthless villains, whose

daggers laid Venice waste. I have endured for your sakes storm, and rain, and frost, and heat; I have watched

for your safety while you were sleeping. Venice owes to my care her constitution and your lives; and yet are

my services deserving of no reward? All this have I done for Rosabella of Corfu, and yet will you withhold

from me my promised bride? I have saved you from death, have saved the honour of your wives, and the

throats of your innocent children from the knife of the assassin. Men! men! and yet will you send me to the

Look on this list! See how many among you would have bled this night, had it not been for Abellino, and see

where the miscreants stand by whom you would have bled! Read you not in every feature that they are

already condemned by heaven and their own conscience? Does a single mouth unclose itself in exculpation?

Does a single movement of the head give the lie to my charge? Yet the truth of what I have advanced shall be

"Mark me!" said he, "the first among you who acknowledges the truth shall receive a free pardon. I swear it,

The conspirators remained silent. Suddenly Memmo started forward and threw himself trembling at the

"Silence!" cried Abellino, in a voice of thunder, while the indignation which flamed in every feature struck

terror into his hearers: "Silence, I say, and hear me, or rather hear the ghosts of your victims. Appear,

Again he sounded his whistle. The folding doors were thrown open, and there stood the Doge's much

"We are betrayed!" shouted Contarino, who drew out a concealed dagger, and plunged it in his bosom up to

And now what a scene of rapture followed. Tears streamed down the silver beard of Andreas, as he rushed

into the arms of his longlost companions; tears bedewed the cheeks of the venerable triumvirate, as they

once more clasped the knees of their prince, their friend, their brother. These excellent men, these heroes,

never had Andreas hoped to meet them again till they should meet in heaven; and Andreas blessed heaven for

permitting him to meet them once more on earth. These four men, who had valued each other in the first

dawn of YOUTH, who had fought by each other's sides in MANHOOD, were now assembled in AGE, and

valued each other more than ever. The spectators gazed with universal interest on the scene before them, and

the good old senators mingled tears of joy with those shed by the reunited companions. In the happy

delirium of this moment, nothing but Andreas and his friends were attended to; no one was aware that the

conspirators and the selfmurderer Contarino were removed by the guards from the saloon; no one but

Camilla observed Rosabella, who threw herself sobbing on the bosom of the handsome bravo, and repeated a

At length they began to recollect themselves they looked round them and the first words which broke from

every lip were"Hail, saviour of Venice!"The roof rung with the name of Abellino, and unnumbered

That very Abellino, who not an hour before had been doomed to the scaffold by the whole assembly, now

stood calm and dignified as a god before the adoring spectators; and now he viewed with complacency the

men whose lives he had saved, and now his eye dwelt with rapture on the woman whose love was the reward

"Abellino!" said Andreas advancing to the bravo, and extending his hand towards him.

"I am not Abellino," replied he, smiling, while he pressed the Doge's hand respectfully to his lips "neither am

I Flodoardo of Florence. I am by birth a Neapolitan, and by name Rosalvo. The death of my inveterate enemy

the Prince of Monaldeschi makes it no longer necessary to conceal who I really am."

"Fear not," continued Rosalvo; "Monaldeschi, it is true, fell by my hand, but fell in honourable combat. The

blood which stained his sword flowed from my veins, and in his last moments conscience asserted her empire

in his bosom. He died not till he had written in his tablets the most positive declaration of my innocence as to

the crimes with which his hatred had contrived to blacken me; and he also instructed me by what means I

might obtain at Naples the restoration of my forfeited estates and the reestablishment of my injured honour.

Those means have been already efficacious, and all Naples is by this time informed of the arts by which

Monaldeschi procured my banishment, and of the many plots which he laid for my destruction; plots, which

made it necessary for me to drop my own character, and never to appear but in disguise. After various

wanderings chance led me to Venice. My appearance was so much altered, that I dreaded not discovery, but I

dreaded (and with reason) perishing in your streets with hunger. In this situation accident brought me

acquainted with the banditti, by whom Venice was then infested. I willingly united myself to their society,

partly with a view of purifying the Republic from the presence of these wretches, and partly in the hope of

discovering through them the more illustrious villains by whom their daggers were employed. I was

successful. I delivered the banditti up to justice, and stabbed their captain in Rosabella's sight. I was now the

only bravo in Venice. Every scoundrel was obliged to have recourse to me. I discovered the plans of the

conspirators, and now you know them also. I found that the deaths of the Doge's three friends had been

determined on; and in order to obtain full confidence with the confederates, it was necessary to persuade

them that these men had fallen beneath my dagger. No sooner had my plan been formed than I imparted it to

Lomellino. He, and he only, was my confidant in this business. He presented me to the Doge as the son of a

deceased friend; he assisted me with his advice; he furnished me with keys to those doors to the public

gardens, which none were permitted to pass through except Andreas and his particular friends, and which

frequently enabled me to elude pursuit; he showed me several private passages in the palace by which I could

penetrate unobserved even into the Doge's very bedchamber. When the time for his disappearance arrived,

he not only readily consented to lie concealed in a retreat known only to ourselves, but was also the means of

inducing Manfrone and Conari to join him in his retirement, till the fortunate issue of this day's adventure

permitted me to set them once more at liberty. The banditti exist no longer; the conspirators are in chains; my

plans are accomplished; and now, Venetians, if you still think him deserving of it, here stands the bravo

"To the scaffold!" exclaimed at once the Doge, the senators, and the whole crowd of nobility; and every one

"Oh, Abellino," exclaimed Andreas, while he wiped away a tear, "I would gladly give my ducal bonnet to be

such a bravo as thou hast been. 'Doge,' did thou once say to me, 'thou and I are the two greatest men in

Venice,' but oh, how much greater is the bravo than the Doge! Rosabella is that jewel, than which I have

nothing in the world more precious; Rosabella is dearer to me than an emperor's crown; Rosabella is thine."

"Triumph!" cried he, "Rosabella is the Bravo's Bride," and he clasped the blushing maid to his bosom.

And now it would not be at all amiss to make Count Rosalvo sit down quietly between the good old Doge

and his lovely niece; and then cause him to relate the motive of Monaldeschi's hatred, in what manner he lost

Valeria, what crimes were imputed to him, and how he escaped from the assassins sent in pursuit of him by

his enemy; how he had long wandered from place to place, and how he had at length learned, during his

abode in Bohemia with a gang of gipsies, such means of disguising his features as enabled him to defy the

keenest penetration to discover in the beggar Abellino the once admired Count Rosalvo; how in this disguise

he had returned to Italy; and how Lomellino, having ascertained that he was universally believed at Naples to

have long since perished by shipwreck, and therefore that neither the officers of the Inquisition, nor the

assassins of his enemies were likely to trouble themselves any more about him, he had ventured to resume,

with some slight alterations, his own appearance at Venice; how the arrival of Monaldeschi had obliged him

to conceal himself, till an opportunity offered of presenting himself to the Prince when unattended, and of

demanding satisfaction for his injuries; how he had been himself wounded in several places by his antagonist,

though the combat finally terminated in his favour; how he had resolved to make use of Monaldeschi's death

to terrify Andreas still further, and of Parozzi's conspiracy to obtain Rosabella's hand of the Doge; how he

had trembled lest the heart of his mistress should have been only captivated by the romantic appearance of

the adventurer Flodoardo, and have rejected him when known to be the bravo Abellino; how he had resolved

to make use of the terror inspired by the assassin to put her love to the severest trial; and how, had she failed

in that trial, he had determined to renounce the inconstant maid for ever; with many other HOWS, WHYS,

and WHEREFORES, which, not being explained, will, I doubt, leave much of this tale involved in mystery:

but before I begin Rosalvo's history, I must ask two questionsFirstdo my readers like the manner in

SecondlyIf my readers DO like my manner of relating adventures, can I employ my time better than in

When these questions are answered, I may probably resume my pen. In the meanwhile, gentlemen and ladies,