The doors were thrown open. Contarino entered hastily, enveloped in

his cloak.

"Good evening, sweet gentlemen," said he, and threw his mantle

aside. And Memmo, Parozzi, and Falieri started back in horror.

"Good God!" they exclaimed, "what has happened? You are covered

with blood?"

"A trifle!" cried Contarino; "is that wine? quick, give me a goblet

of it, I expire with thirst."

Falieri (while he gives him a cup).--But, Contarino, you bleed?

Contarino.--You need not tell me that. I did not do it myself, I

promise you.

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 bowl again.

Memmo.--I can scarcely breathe for terror.

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.

Memmo (shuddering).--Mercy on me! the very sight of it makes my

blood run cold.

Parozzi brought ointments and linen, and bound up the wound of his

associate.

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

wonders which I am going to relate.

Falieri.--Proceed.

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 lurking-place 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 appearance, and a young woman, who (it seems) had

opened the door for me.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024