The Bravo of Venice Part 16

CHAPTER IV.--THE DECISIVE DAY.

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 pa.s.sed 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 love-sick 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 mid-day 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 scene which was soon to take place.

The most ill.u.s.trious 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, "have mercy on me! Let all to-day end well!"

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 a.s.sembly 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 take place at midnight.

The weather was dark and tempestuous. The wind roared among the waters of the ca.n.a.l, and the vanes of the palace-towers 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 saloon, and soon after the clattering of weapons was heard.

Instantly a sudden silence reigned through the whole a.s.sembly. The young courtiers broke off their love-speeches 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 a.s.sembly. Every eye was fixed upon him. The hearts of the conspirators beat painfully.

"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 ill.u.s.trious 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. .h.i.therto set at defiance the whole vengeance of the Republic--before another hour expires, perhaps this outcast of h.e.l.l may stand before you in this very saloon."

All (astonished).--Abellino? What, the bravo Abellino?

Gonzaga.--Of his own accord!

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 his life.

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 be trifling.

A Third.--Nay, we shall be all his debtors, nor do I know how we can reward Flodoardo for so important a service.

Andreas.--Be that my task. Flodoardo has demanded my niece in marriage if he performs his promise. Rosabella shall be his reward.

All gazed on each other in silence; some with looks expressing the most heartfelt satisfaction, and others with glances of envy and surprise.

Falieri (in a low voice).--Parozzi, how will this end?

Memmo.--As I live, the very idea makes me shake as if I had a fever.

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?

Several n.o.blemen at once.--Not I. Never.

A Senator.--He is a kind of spectre, who only appears now and then, when he is least expected and desired.

Rosabella.--I saw him once; never again shall I forget the monster.

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 another, without mercy.

"Gracious Heaven!" screamed several of the ladies, "you don't say so? What, strangle us in this very chamber?"

Contarino.--The princ.i.p.al 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 Flodoardo.

Contarino.--A thousand sequins on Abellino's not being taken, unless death should have taken him first.

The First Senator.--A thousand sequins on Flodoardo seizing him -

Andreas.--And delivering him up to me, either alive or dead.

Contarino.--Ill.u.s.trious signors, you are witnesses of the wager. My Lord Vitalba, there is my hand on it. A thousand sequins!

The Senator.--Done.

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 Abellino knows a trick or two, or I am much mistaken.

Gonzaga.--May I request your Highness to inform me whether Flodoardo is attended by the sbirri?

Andreas.--No, he is alone. Near four-and-twenty 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.

Memmo.--I begin to recover myself! Well, well! let us see the end.

Three-and-twenty hours had elapsed since Flodoardo had entered into the rash engagement. The four-and-twentieth now hastened to its completion, and yet Flodoardo came not.

CHAPTER V.--THE CLOCK STRIKES FIVE.