Since Rosabella's birthday, no woman in Venice who had the slightest

pretensions to beauty, or the most remote expectations of making

conquests, had any subject of conversation except the handsome

Florentine. He found employment for every female tongue, and she

who dared not to employ her tongue, made amends for the privation

with her thoughts. Many a maiden now enjoyed less tranquil

slumbers; many an experienced coquette sighed as she laid on her

colour at the looking glass; many a prude forgot the rules which she

had imposed upon herself, and daily frequented the gardens and walks

in which report gave her the hope of meeting Flodoardo.

But from the time that, placing himself at the head of the sbirri,

he had dared to enter boldly the den of the banditti, and seize them

at the hazard of his life, he was scarcely more an object of

attention among the women than among the men. Greatly did they

admire his courage and unshaken presence of mind while engaged in so

perilous an adventure; but still more were they astonished at his

penetration in discovering where the bravoes concealed themselves,

an attempt which foiled even the keen wits of the so much celebrated

police of Venice.

The Doge Andreas cultivated the acquaintance of this singular young

man with increasing assiduity; and the more he conversed with him,

the more deserving of consideration did Flodoardo appear. The

action by which he had rendered the Republic a service so essential

was rewarded by a present that would not have disgraced Imperial

gratitude, and one of the most important offices of the State was

confided to his superintendence.

Both favours were conferred unsolicited, but no sooner was the

Florentine apprised of the Doge's benevolent care of him, than with

modesty and respect he requested to decline the proposed advantages.

The only favour which he requested was, to be permitted to live free

and independent in Venice during a year, at the end of which he

promised to name that employment which he esteemed the best adapted

to his abilities and inclination.

Flodoardo was lodged in the magnificent palace of his good old

patron, Lomellino, here he lived in the closest retirement, studied

the most valuable parts of ancient and modern literature, remained

for whole days together in his own apartment, and was seldom to be

seen in public except upon some great solemnity.

But the Doge, Lomellino, Manfrone, and Conari, men who had

established the fame of Venice on so firm a basis that it would

require centuries to undermine it; men in whose society one seemed

to be withdrawn from the circle of ordinary mortals, and honoured by

the intercourse of superior beings, men who now graciously received

the Florentine stranger into their intimacy, and resolved to spare

no pains in forming him to support the character of a great man; it

could not long escape the observation of men like these, that

Flodoardo's gaiety was assumed, and that a secret sorrow preyed upon

his heart.




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