"Name it," cried the Doge, eagerly; "will ten thousand sequins

purchase your departure from the Republic?"

"I would gladly give you twice as much myself, could you recall the

insult of offering Abellino so miserable a bribe! No, Andreas, but

one price can pay me: give me your niece for my bride. I love

Rosabella, the daughter of Guiscard of Corfu."

"Monster--what insolence!"

"Ho! ho! Patience, patience, good uncle, that is to be. Will you

accept my terms?"

"Name what sum will satisfy you, and it shall be yours this instant,

so you will only relieve Venice from your presence. Though it

should cost the Republic a million she will be a gainer, if her air

is no longer poisoned by your breath."

"Indeed! Why, in fact, a million is not so great a sum; for look

you, Andreas, I have just sold for near HALF a million the lives of

your two dear friends, Manfrone and Lomellino. Now give me

Rosabella, and I break the bargain."

"Miscreant! Has Heaven no lightnings?"

"You will not? Mark me! In four-and-twenty hours shall Manfrone

and Lomellino be food for fishes. Abellino has said it. Away!"

And with these words he drew a pistol from under his cloak, and

flashed it in the Doge's face. Blinded by the powder, and confused

by the unexpected explosion, Andreas started back, and sunk

bewildered on a neighbouring sofa. He soon recovered from his

astonishment. He sprang from his seat to summon his guards and

seize Abellino; but Abellino had already disappeared.

On that same evening were Parozzi and his confederates assembled in

the palace of the Cardinal Gonzaga. The table was spread with the

most luxurious profusion, and they arranged over their flowing

goblets plans for the Republic's ruin. The Cardinal related how he

had of late contrived to insinuate himself into the Doge's good

graces, and had succeeded in impressing him with an opinion that the

chiefs of the confederacy were fit men to hold offices of important

trust. Contarino boasted that he doubted not before long to be

appointed to the vacant procuratorship. Parozzi reckoned for HIS

share upon Rosabella's hand, and the place either of Lomellino or

Manfrone, when once those two chief obstacles to his hope should be

removed. Such was the conversation in which they were engaged, when

the clock struck twelve, the doors flew wide, and Abellino stood

before them.

"Wine, there!" cried he; "the work is done. Manfrone and Lomellino

are at supper with the worms. And I have thrown the Doge himself

into such a fit of terror that I warrant he will not recover himself

easily. Now answer are you content with me, you bloodhounds?"




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