The Bravo of Venice - A Romance
Page 65"Victory!" shouted Parozzi, as he rushed into the Cardinal Gonzaga's
chamber, where the chief conspirators were all assembled; "our work
goes on bravely. Flodoardo returned this morning to Venice, and
Abellino has already received the required sum."
Gonzaga.--Flodoardo does not want talents; I had rather he should
live and join our party. He is seldom off his guard Parozzi.--Such vagabonds may well be cautious; they must not forget
themselves, who have so much to conceal from others.
Falieri.--Rosabella, as I understand, by no means sees this
Florentine with unfavourable eyes.
Parozzi.--Oh, wait till to-morrow, and then he may make love to the
devil and his grandmother, if he likes it. Abellino by that time
will have wrung his neck round, I warrant you.
learn but little at Florence respecting this Flodoardo. My letters
inform me that some time ago there did exist a family of that name;
but it has been long extinct, or if any of its descendants are still
in being at Florence, their existence is quite a secret.
Gonzaga.--Are you all invited to the Doge's tomorrow?
Contarino.--All of us, without exception.
Gonzaga.--That is well. It seems that my recommendations have
obtained some weight with him, since his triumvirate has been
removed. And in the evening a masked ball is to be given. Did not
the Doge's chamberlain say so?
Falieri.--He did.
have been given a hint of our conspiracy! Mercy on us! my teeth
chatter at the thought.
Gonzaga.--Absurd! By what means should our designs have been made
known to him? The thing is impossible.
Memmo.--Impossible? What, when there's scarce a cutpurse,
housebreaker, or vagabond in Venice who has not been enlisted in our
service, would it be so strange if the Doge discovered a little of
the business? A secret which is known to so many, how should it
escape his penetration?
Contarino.--Simpleton! the same thing happens to him which happens
to betrayed husbands. Everyone can see the horns except the man who
realise our projects, and prevent the possibility of our being
betrayed.
Falieri.--You are right, friend; everything is ready now. The
sooner that the blow is struck the better.
Parozzi.--Nay, the discontented populace, which at present sides
with us, would be perfectly well pleased if the sport began this
very night; delay the business longer, and their anger against
Andreas will cool, and render them unfit for our purpose.