"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 scent--Parozzi!

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 hare-brained youths--hare-brained may I well call children--who,

in order to avoid the rod, set fire to their paternal mansions.

Parozzi, should all this be revealed to Andreas--?"

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 inheritance would ever

admit of their paying.

"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 designs--surely, 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.

Parozzi.--And I tell you again that Lomellino knows not what he

says.

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 perhaps he

possesses, but of brains not an atom.

Contarino.--And I tell you that Andreas is as brave as a lion, and

as crafty as a fox.




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