The Bravo of Venice Part 15

Andreas.--All this shall be done punctually.

Flodoardo.--I have nothing more to say. n.o.ble Andreas, farewell.

Rosabella, to-morrow, when the clock strikes five, we shall meet again, or never.

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

CHAPTER III.--THE MIDNIGHT MEETING.

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

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

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

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

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

Contarino.--It is strange that, in spite of all 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.--Are you all invited to the Doge's tomorrow?

Contarino.--All of us, without exception.

Gonzaga.--That is well. It seems that my recommendations have obtained some weight with him, since his triumvirate has been removed. And in the evening a masked ball is to be given. Did not the Doge's chamberlain say so?

Falieri.--He did.

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

Gonzaga.--Absurd! By what means should our designs have been made known to him? The thing is impossible.

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 secret which is known to so many, how should it escape his penetration?

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 projects, and prevent the possibility of our being betrayed.

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 render them unfit for our purpose.

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

Parozzi.--Mark me, friends, we must go armed to the Doge's entertainment.

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

Falieri.--Down with every man of them!

Memmo.--Aye, aye! Fine talking, but suppose it should turn out to be down with ourselves?

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

Memmo.--You wrong me, Falieri; if you wish to 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 hot-headed.

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.

Memmo.--The Pope? May we count on his protection?

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 a.s.sertion 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 ball-room, and hastening to seize the a.r.s.enal. 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 alarm-bell, will immediately lead his people to our a.s.sistance.

Parozzi.--Oh, our success is certain.

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 authors, the origin, and the object of the uproar.

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?

Parozzi.--That was done some days ago.

Contarino.--Then there is no more necessary to be said on the subject. Comrades, fill your goblets. We will not meet again together till our work has been completed.

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 const.i.tution 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 to-morrow, the Doge himself kindly affords us an opportunity of executing our plans.

Parozzi.--As to Flodoardo, I look upon him already as in his grave; yet before we go to-morrow to the Doge's, it will be as well to have a conference with Abellino.

Contarino.--That care we will leave to you, Parozzi, and in the meanwhile here's the health of Abellino.

All.--Abellino!

Gonzaga.--And success to our enterprise to-morrow.

Memmo.--I'll drink THAT toast with all my heart.

All.--Success to to-morrow's enterprise!

Parozzi.--The wine tastes well, and every face looks gay; pa.s.s eight-and-forty hours, and shall we look as gaily? We separate smiling; shall we smile when two nights hence we meet again? No matter.