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 of Matteo, and Rosabella pale and trembling

in the arbour.

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 palace in safety.

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 of Abellino.

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 which it

would have been difficult to decide which was the most improbable.

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.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024