above such baseness! Who am I? the Signor Pandolfo-commonly known as the seventh son of the seventh son since the time of Father Adam. who was a Venetian himself, and lived in this Paradise until the evil one," here the fortune-teller pointed out a stupid-looking Croat to his audience, "who was the devil, betrayed him." The audience laughed. "I have my diploma from the learned college of Constantinople, countersigned by the worthy licentiates of Trebizond. This does not prevent my being a good Catholic-having a little wife and precisely seven children-no more and no less. Here is my license from the worthy city authorities," here two Austrian spies approached, "who do us the inexpressible honor to watch over us." The spies moved on, and the astrologer added, in a peculiar dialect: "May the devil confound them. As if we were not able to do for ourselves and them, too!" Here several in the crowd rolled their eyes and looked inclined to murder. "My engagements in Paris, Pekin, and Padua, having been completed-having foretold destinies to all the crowned heads of Europe, Africa, and America-at the earnest solicitations of my friends, I have, at length, consented to appear before you, and for a trifling sum-which I feel sure this generous assembly will give me"-here almost everybody left-"will tell the fortunes-horoscopes of all and every one present. For instance, that young woman there," Zambetto, who had swallowed every word, looked around the numerous assembly, and found it had dwindled down to himself and a woman, by no means in the first bloom of youth-"that young woman," went on the man, "has something on her mind, and may want my services." Zambetto examined her closely; her eyes were red from crying. "My little dear," said the man, insinuatingly, "step nearer, and do not fear; for today is precisely the luckiest day in tho year. Mercury, or wealth, is in conjunction with the moon, which means luck."

"I shouldn't think it to be so," said the woman. "This has been a sad day for me."

"You are in trouble," said the man, quite dogmatically.

"Santa Maria! Yes, I am. How did you know that?" inquired the woman.

"Seek not to explore the hidden mysteries of my wonderful science," replied the seer.

"Any fool might have seen that," thought Zambetto.

Give me your right hand, if you are not left-handed. Ah! you are not married." Of course she was not; Zambetto saw no ring on her finger. "It is no love trouble that distresses you ?”

"I should think it was past her time for that," said Zambetto to himself, as he watched the woman, who held a small bundle of clothes in her hand.

"You are about leaving”—went on the necromancer, putting his questions more like one wanting information than able to impart it.

Santa Lucia!" cried the simple gull; "and how did you know that, too ?"

"Don't interrupt me. You are a servant, who-?"

"True-right again."

"Be silent. From your hand I discover everything. You-are-not a

cook-?"

"Of course she is not," thought Zambetto, "by the sign that her hands are free from burn or scald. Any dunce could see that."

"You are," and he fumbled over her hand, then took to his cards-" you are a serving woman-a chambermaid-?"

"Santa Maria-my knees tremble under me!" Zambetto's were not in the least bit shaken. The fact was, his faith in fortune-telling was fast on the decline. "The needle-pricks on her finger tells her story sure enough. I, too, am a magician, and could tell a miller from a charcoal-merchant by his color, straight. I should have been gone some time ago, if not for this woman, who, if she be not the lost Nina, why, may I never enjoy an hour's laziness again (San Pantaleone, pray record that vow!) Let us hear more."

"Now," went on the oracle, " you have come to ask me, what you shall do ?"

"It is-must I go home to Chioggia, or stay in Venice?"

"Why will you insist on interrupting the dictates of fortune? This will settle the matter." He let off a sentence of gibberish, turned the sand-glass, and frightened the woman half out of her wits, by going through the needle and magnet trick, while she hid her face in her hands, fearful of seeing the evil one.

"Now is my time," thought Zambetto, as he deliberately winked at the sage, who instantly returned it. Then took place a manoeuvre, so purely Italian as to require an explanation: a hand was protruded under the tablecover with its greasy palm stretched towards Zambetto, who instantly put a piece of money in it. This action, to the superficial mind, may appear an easy one, but the consummate skill exhibited by the Italian hand, the subtle pantomime displayed by the fingers, carries the buon-mano to the highest pinnacle of artistic excellence-in fact, it is an inspiration. Zambetto whispered, "Her name is Nina, she lived with a lady near the Ca d'oro; tell her she must obey me implicitly. Your wonderful art has, doubtlessly, informed you of this natural consequence, and I am simply advancing the dictates of fortune."

"Of course you are," was the answer; the seer was quick-witted, imperturbable, and instantly took his cue. "Approach, Nina, and fear not your mistress.' "Lelia" whispered Zambetto, "Lelia, "went on the man," has lost in you a faithful servant. The Ca d'oro is desolate without Nina, the mistress's canaries and lap-dog-"

"Poor Sancho " uttered the woman, "such a silky hide-"

"And a beautiful tail, are miser. able without you. But do not weep; such kind hearts as yours meet their due rewards. Now, recollect five things: beware of the white man, never cross water without care, or touch fire heedlessly, and, above all, always munificently reward any one who does you a service, and most particularly myself," he held out his hand, Nina dropped a coin in it, "and lastly, in a few moments you will meet with a young man-I see him now -that young gentleman who is so intently looking at the show-picture, of the crocodile of the Nile in the act of swallowing an elephant, over the way there he will join you, and, all you have to do is, to put yourself entirely under his guidance; and now, farewell—” and the seer packed up his traps and moved on in search of new customers.

Nina stood still with her mouth wide open, awaiting fortune, which presented itself in the shape of Zambetto, who politely introduced himself by offering a piece of nougat. He kindly invited

her to see the crocodile (which proved to be a small stuffed lizard); took her into every booth and show; made her laugh with his funny sallies; treated her to fruit, and won her heart by the gift of a gilt cross with a bead necklace; and, towards evening, the most implicit confidence being attained, they sauntered arm-in-arm to the neighborhood of the Ca d'oro. As they passed her house at nightfall, Nina said with a sigh, "Poor little dog, this is his supper-time: I do believe he is seated now at the kitchen window waiting for me, the dear creature misses me;" she pointed to a little white spot moving on a window-ledge.

"I must have that dog," said Zambetto, as he raised himself on tip-foc towards something which gave snarl.

"He will bite you," cried Nina.

a

"Nina, it is absolutely necessary for us to have that dog, your whole fortune depends on it." Had Zambetto ordered the woman to walk into the canal, she would have done so. Spreading out her apron, she coaxed the dog to the edge of the window, and, allured by a piece of candy, he sprung into her arms; Zambetto pounced on him, put him struggling in his cap, and Sancho was borne in triumph over the bridge.

"Please, your signore," said Zambetto to his master, "I have imposed upon myself the responsible duty of major-domo; it is entirely inconsistent with your excellency's grandeur to be without the necessary retinue of servants; your lordship's serving is prodigious, and I have taken the liberty to procure this experienced person to look after your honor's linen. The family she has been living with, will, doubtless, give her the preference. Nina, approach and salute your master; but here, your grace, I have something else of great importance;" he held out his cap, which appeared very animated. "The pigeons of Venice are probably the most stupid animals in the world, and know nothing better than to fly to the Piazza San Marco, and gobble corn all day; but, here, I have a bird of another feather--pray, sir, regard my cap in the light of a cage," and he tumbled out Sancho, who danced about delighted at his liberty, dividing his caresses between Nina and her new master; Zambetto went on, " the dog

has already the pleasure of your acquaintance, and that is significant." "But, Zambetto," interrupted his master, "though I certainly take Nina under my charge, I cannot approve of Sancho; it seems to me rather like a theft. I had no idea you would have taken such a liberty."

66

A theft? Most illustrious master, is it possible you can call this masterpiece of genius by so harsh a name? Softly; at the Teatro Malibran, I have seen moral pieces conducted to the happy climax, virtue rewarded, vice punished, and all that kind of thing, solely through the agency of dogs-the buffo-dog in the troupe was positively touching, and never failed to bring tears to the eyes of the appreciating cognoscenti. I have serious intentions of becoming an impressario myself, and this is my first attempt; recollect, Canova carved his first lion in a pound of butter, and you could not be so cruel as to freeze this first ray of my aspiring talent, and you my patron. Constituting myself director of your highness's theatrical troupe, I have engaged Sancho as first star. We will proceed as follows: Sancho must stay here to-night, we will treat him as we would a tenor, fondle him, stuff him with cakes and sugar-plums, and he would be an ungrateful brute did he forget it. Nina's skill will now come into play, she will make a pocket in his velvet collar, and Sancho has the glorious role of bearer of dispatches. Tomorrow there is a hue-and-cry for Sancho; then devolves on me the duty of returning him. With a little training, Sancho will undertake the journey at least once a day, and draw a delighted audience on both sides of the canal. Important business now requiring my presence, I have the honor of wishing you a good evening," and, with a low how, Zambetto went away, directing his steps towards the Café Quadri, the resort of the Austrian officers.

a precious freight; my master, an illus trious artist-" here he stopped, and watched the effect, "a second Titian, has been devoting himself to animalpainting, of late. By the strangest accident in the world, one of those little Bolognese dogs, all white, with a black muzzle-"

46

Sancho-have you found him ?” interrupted the lady.

"Allow me this dog, who prides himself on his breed, observed that some one was taking his portrait-the fact is, every one in this house is of particular interest to my master-well, the dog very naturally said to himself, I trust the artist will do me justice, for he looks like a real gentleman; but, alas! now that Nina has been sent away, she will not take me any more;' to make a long story short, he determined, last night, to look for himself; and-see what instinct! -he crossed the bridge and knocked at the door of my master's house; imagine his joy at finding his faithful Nina there; satisfied with the accuracy of his portrait, he requested me to return him this morning." Here, he shook his cap, which Sancho left even with reluctance, so well had he been taught

his lesson.

"You are his servant-have you no word from him?" she said, apparently intent on the dog.

"Her education has been neglected, I must act as prompter. I wonder what makes Sancho pull so at his collar," said Zambetto, innocently, "something must have been done with it!"

Pray be quick-we may be interrupted; I do not understand."

"Sancho is the post-Sancho will be allowed to play at dusk, and Sancho will find himself occasionally on the other side." All this was said very mysteriously, and, with a knowing look, Zambetto left, saying to himself, as he traversed the long entry, "Goldoni! Pshaw, he has fallen in my estimation. Here have I, Zambetto, combined human genius with animal instinct; I was certainly intended for a dramatic author, and must take to writing pieces; there is but one small difficulty in the way, and that is, that I can't handle a quill-" his soliloquy was interrupted by the clank of a sabre, and an Austrian officer in full uniform jostled against him.

"Ass, stupid fellow, sapperment, thou hast stumbled against me. What art thou doing here?" roared an angry

voice. Zambetto stood cap in hand. "Oh, my general, a thousand pardons. Now for the drubbing," said Zambetto to himself, as he saw the officer raise his whip; for, though a horse in Venice is quite as unusual as a whale in London, a whip is an Austrian officer's necessity.

66

Speak out, thou thief, there have been some mysterious goings on here lately, and, by my soul, I have seen your face before."

"One of my brothers," suggested Zambetto.

"No-I saw thee yesterday. Beware, I shall make short work of thisa file of men-make ready-fire-d'ye understand."

"It is all over with me," thought Zambetto. "Oh for a simple drubbing!" He trembled in every limb. "I came here, your honor, on purpose to find you I saw you last evening at the café, and-"

46

Ab, thou hast been following me— -I am glad to know that."

"We were going the same way—you were taking a tutti-frutti-it might have been a sorbet-"

"Thou art inventing some story."

"I might have been mistaken, it was a cup of coffee. I said to myself, what a pity a gallant gentleman like yourself, in such an elegant uniform, should be so hasty."

"Now I remember me, there was some one skulking under the shade of the arcade near my table, and, if my memory serves me, thou art the very same person that came this way last evening, with a servant woman."

It is up with me," thought Zambetto, "all talent is useless here. Yes," he said, " "my cousin." "Nina?" cried the officer, catching fast hold of him.

'My comedy will be a tragedy," said Zambettto internally; "yes, my cousin Nina. By the strangest accident in the world (Zambetto always preluded his improvisations in this way), I met her yesterday. I am a poor lad from Chioggia, and wanted to see my relative. I found her, and she invited me to sup with her-"

"She has got a place, then?"

"The devil take my stupid tongue. I am miserable, and deserve to be hissed. Not the least bit up in my part'-indeed, your honor, I am not capable of saying; if you call a garret a place-faugh!"

Perhaps not to you, sir; but these painters, you know, have such queer tastes-only look at the ugly pictures they make, sometimes. Now I had a great uncle of mine, who was frightful to see, hump-backed, bandy-legged, cross-eyed, and yet-"

"To the devil with your uncle," angrily interrupted the officer, curling his red moustache. 66 Halloah, some onetake this fellow to the guard-house."

Stop, sir," cried Zambetto on his knees, "I will confess all. Nina induced me to come to Venice, promised me service with the noble family she lived with; imagine my surprise when I found her out of place-I, a poor ignorant lad-simple and inexperienced. She told me her sorrows, her mistress, who adores you (I was not to tell you that), had determined to surprise you, by presenting you with her portrait. But how to get it done, that was the question. Nina, who is a great busybody, found out a poor old devil of a painter somewhere in the neighborhood -round the corner, I believe, who could paint it-even without her ladyship's having to go to him."

"I do not understand thee."

44

Why, your honor, the canal is narrow, and at the window-"

"Ah, I have thee again-thou saidst around the-"

I meant opposite, then--since I must tell everything."

"But if he be so old, how can he see so far?!!

"Nina says he must be eighty-if he be a day; but with the modern improvements-a telescope, for instance-"

"Can this, then, account for ber having been at her window so much of late? Now finish thy story, and if it be not true-Potz-lausend!"

"The portrait was almost finished

Nina busying herself about it, taking over, now and then, a dress, or an ornament for the painter to look at; in fact, Nina was to have received a little commission for the job-when crack, she is sent away on suspicion of carrying on an intrigue. 'She has sent me to explain, and to beg for her return. Nina's presence at the painter's last night may be accounted for-she went there with the firm intention of tearing his old eyes out, for having made her lose her place; and the painter is in a bad way himself the picture almost finished, he is at the cost of his paint and labor. How people get into these kind of scrapes is most wonderful!"

"Ah-indeed! Thy story wants confirmation-ocular demonstration." He released Zambetto's collar, who had ideas of a precipitate retreat. "I must see this picture-find out this painter."

"Oh, your signore, would you spoil a surprise?" said Zambetto, who had been congratulating himself upon his escape, and now found himself in the worst of predicaments. He was anxious to conclude the conversation: "let mo find Nina and tell her she is forgiven." Where is this woman?"

64

"At our grandmother's, who hires out the chairs in the church of San Cristoforo," replied Zambetto, naming the furthest point from where they stood. "May I run and tell her I have sued for pardon that your excellency has forgiven her? Oh," here he gave utterance to a gush of feeling, "you look so good!"

you," Zambetto's teeth imitated a pair of castanets; "especially as I might have been drowned, not knowing how to swim. I am wet to the skin, and am sure to get the ague, which I have just recovered from my new clothes spoilt, too! Pray, allow me to hasten to my dear grandmother's, who will give me a change of clothing-I will be back in a twinkling-so anxious am I to enter your lordship's service."

"I give thee half an hour to be back in, thou clumsy lout-if thou art not here by that time the police shall find thee. Now off with thee, and remember I am not to be trifled with!"

Zambetto was released, and, taking to his legs, described a circuitous route, which evidently showed that he knew how to go through Venice on the hottest day in the shade; taking one of those small canals, called vii, which are so puzzling, in five minutes he was with his master.

"Viva!" he cried, endeavoring to put the best face on the matter, and to hide his own chagrin, "I have done it-succeeded-got a ducking instead of a cudgeling-an effect always lost on the stage;" and he told his story, describing what had happened as a master-piece of genius on his part, expecting every moment to feel the anger of his master which displayed itself in his anxious

countenance.

"You have ruined us-you have spoiled all, through excess of zeal!" cried Vandyke, repeating Talleyrand.

"Who, I, your signore? I feel hurt

Much against his will, Zambetto was obliged to make a volt-face. He turned on his heel, imitating the stiff motions of a recruit, showed great awkwardness, and, after a complicated stumble which terminated in a trip, slid, with a great splash and cry, into the canal.

To fall into the canal in Venice is of about as much moment as to stumble in a street, and Zambetto managed to reach the step again, and, dripping like a Triton, approached the officer, who roared at his mishap.

"Laugh on, your grace, if it amuses

artist. Is this the way I am received, in return for serving two masters? I who have brought about this charming imbroglio! I have simply capped the climax. I never could stand the long comedy-give me, I say, the present action of the moment, the instanter inspiration. To-morrow must see the end of this, and if my advice is to be taken-" here Zambetto was silent, probably in the act of arranging some clever denouement, when he observed his master, whose pen was flying over a sheet of paper. These were the contents of the note:

"DEAREST LELIA:-We are discoveredZambetto has unwittingly betrayed us. But one course is left-to me, at least for to-mor row the police will be on my traces; how I have escaped them so far is a miracle. I entreat you, Lelia, if you love me, be to-morrow, at half past nine o'clock, at your door. I shall