your hearts, and reasoned with you calmly on the nature of acts, you turn from me coldly, as if I were unfit to stand fort defence of the offspring that God hath left my age! This is the boasted justice of St. Mark, Venetian senators, but hardı of heart and a wasting of the means of the poor, that would become the most grasping Hebrew of the Rialto!"

"Hast thou aught more to urge, Antonio ?" asked the jud with the wily design of unmasking the fisherman's entire soul. "Is it not enough, Signore, that I urge my years, my pover my scars, and my love for the boy? I know ye not, but thou ye are hid behind the folds of your robes and masks, still must be men. There may be among ye a father, or perhaps some o who hath a still more sacred charge, the child of a dead son. him I speak. In vain ye talk of justice when the weight of yo power falls on them least able to bear it: and though ye may delu yourselves, the meanest gondolier of the canal knows

He was stopped from uttering more by his companion, wh rudely placed a hand on his mouth.

Why hast thou presumed to stop the complaints of Antonio ? sternly demanded the judge.

"It was not decent, illustrious senators, to listen to such disr spect in so noble a presence,” Jacopo answered, bending reverent as he spoke. "This old fisherman, dread Signori, is warmed b love for his offspring, and he will utter that which, in his coole moments, he will repent.'

"St. Mark fears not the truth! If he has more to say, let hin declare it."

But the excited Antonio began to reflect. The flush which had ascended to his weather-beaten cheek disappeared, and his naked breast ceased to heave. He stood like one rebuked, more by his discretion than his conscience, with a calmer eye, and a face that exhibited the composure of his years, and the respect of his condition.

"If I have offended, great patricians," he said more mildly, "I pray you to forget the zeal of an ignorant old man, whose feelings are master of his breeding, and who knows less how to render the truth agreeable to noble ears, than to utter it."

Thou mayest depart."

The armed attendants advanced, and, obedient to a sign from the secretary, they led Antonio and his companion through the door by which they had entered. The other officials of the place followed, and the secret judges were left by themselves in the chamber of doom.

THE BRAVO.

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CHAPTER XIII.

"Oh the days that we have seen!”

SHELTON.

ike that which accompanies self-contemplation, and percious distrust of purpose, succeeded. Then the Three ther, and began to lay aside the instruments of their When the masks were removed, they exposed the grave men in the decline of life, athwart which worldly cares My passions had drawn those deep lines, which no subse or resignation can erase. During the process of unher spoke, for the affair, on which they had just been caused novel and disagreeable sensations to them all, y were delivered from their superfluous garments and s, however, they drew near the table, and each sought for his limbs and person which was natural to the long e had undergone.

are letters from the French king intercepted," said one, had permitted them to rally their thoughts;- "it would y treat of the new intentions of the Emperor." they been restored to the ambassador? or are the orio before the Senate?" demanded another.

t we must take counsel, at our leisure. I have nought amunicate, except that the order given to intercept the of the Holy See hath failed of its object."

s the secretaries advertised me. We must look into the of the agents, for there is good reason to believe much wledge would have come from that seizure."

e attempt is already known and much spoken of, care ad to issue orders for the arrest of the robbers, else may ic fall into disrepute with its friends. There are names t which might be readily marked for punishment, for ter of our patrimony is never in want of proscribed, to I accident of this nature."

heed will be had to this, since, as you say, the affair is The government or the individual that is negligent of 1, cannot expect long to retain the respect of its equals." mbition of the House of Hapsburgh robs me of my xclaimed the other, throwing aside some papers, over s eye had glanced, in disgust. Holy St. Theodore! ourge to the race is the desire to augment territories and Ian unjust rule, beyond the boundaries of reason and Here have we, in Venice, been in undisputed possession ces that are adapted to our institutions, convenient to our d agreeable to our desires, for ages;-provinces that were

gallantly won by our ancestors, and which cling to us as hab linger in our age: and yet are they become objects of a coveto ambition to our neighbour, under a vain pretext of a policy that fear is strengthened by our increasing weakness. I sicken, Signo of my esteem for men, as I dive deeper into their tempers ar desires, and often wish myself a dog, as I study their propensitie In his appetite for power, is not the Austrian the most rapaciou of all the princes of the earth?"

'More so, think you, worthy Signore, than the Castilian? Yo overlook the unsatiated desire of the Spanish king to extend hi sway in Italy.'

دو

Hapsburgh or Bourbon; Turk or Englishman; they all seem actuated by the same fell appetite for dominion; and now that Venice hath no more to hope, than to preserve her present advantages, the least of all our enjoyments becomes a subject of covetous envy to our enemies. There are passions to weary one of an interference with governments, and to send him to his cord of penitence and the cloisters!"

"I never listen to your observations, Signore, without quitting the chamber an edified man! Truly this desire in the strangers to trespass on our privileges, and it may be well said, privileges which have been gained by our treasures and our blood, becomes more manifest, daily. Should it not be checked, St. Mark will be stripped, in the end, of even a landing-place for a gondola on the

main.

The leap of the winged lion is much curtailed, excellent sir, or these things might not be! It is no longer in our power to persuade, or to command, as of old, and our canals begin to be encumbered with slimy weeds, instead of well-freighted argosies, and swift-sailing feluccas."

The Portuguese hath done us irretrievable harm, for without his African discoveries, we might yet have retained the traffic in Indian commodities. I cordially dislike the mongrel race, being, as it is, half Gothic and half Moorish!"

"I trust not myself to think of their origin or of their deeds, my friends, lest prejudice should kindle feelings unbecoming a man and a Christian. How now, Signor Gradenigo; thou art thoughtful?" The third member of the secret council, who had not spoken since the disappearance of the accused, and who was no other than the reader's old acquaintance of the name just mentioned, slowly lifted his head, from a meditative position, at this address.

"The examination of the fisherman hath recalled scenes of my boyhood," he answered, with a touch of nature, that seldom found place in that chamber.

"I heard thee say he was thy foster-brother," returned the other, struggling to conceal a gape.

"We drank of the same milk, and, for the first years of life, we sported at the same games

"These imaginary kindred often give great uneasiness. I am glad your trouble hath no other source, for I had heard that the young heir of your house hath shown a prodigal disposition of late, and I feared that matter might have come to your knowledge, as one of the Council, that a father might not wish to learn." The selfish features of the Signor Gradenigo, instantly underwent a change. He glanced curiously, and with a strong distrust, but in a covert manner, at the fallen eyes of his two companions, anxious to penetrate their secret thoughts ere he ventured to expose his own.

Is there aught of complaint against the youth?" he demanded, in a voice of hesitation. You understand a father's interest, and

will not conceal the truth."

"Signore, you know that the agents of the police are active, and little that comes to their knowledge fails to reach the ears of the Council. But, at the worst, the matter is not of life or death. It can only cost the inconsiderate young man a visit to Dalmatia, or an order to waste the summer at the foot of the Alps." "Youth is the season of indiscretion, as ye know, Signori," returned the father, breathing more freely, "and as none become old that have not been young, I have little need to awaken your recollection of its weaknesses. I trust my son is incapable of designing aught against the republic?"

"Of that he is not suspected." A slight expression of irony crossed the features of the old senator, as he spoke. "But he is represented as aiming too freely at the person and wealth of your ward; and that she, who is the especial care of St. Mark, is not to be solicited without the consent of the Senate, is an usage well known to one of its most ancient and most honourable members."

"Such is the law, and none coming of me shall show it disrespect. I have preferred my claims to that connection, openly, but with diffidence; and I await the decision of the state, in respectful confidence."

His associates bowed in courteous acknowledgment of the justice of what he said, and of the loyalty of his conduct, but it was in the manner of men too long accustomed to duplicity, to be easily duped.

None doubt it, worthy Signor Gradenigo, for thy faith to the state is ever quoted as a model for the young, and as a subject for the approbation of the more experienced. Hast thou any communication to make on the interest of the young heiress, thyself."

"I am pained to say, that the deep obligation conferred by Don Camillo Monforte, seems to have wrought upon her youthful imagination, and I apprehend that, in disposing of my ward, the state will have to contend with the caprice of a female mind. The waywardness of that age will give more trouble than the conduct of far graver matters."

"Is the lady attended by suitable companions in her daily life?

"Her companions are known to the Senate. In so grave an interest, I would not act without their authority and sanction. But the affair hath great need of delicacy in its government. The circumstance that so much of my ward's fortune lies in the states of the Church, renders it necessary to await the proper moment for disposing of her rights, and of transferring their substance within the limits of the republic, before we proceed to any acts of decision. Once assured of her wealth, she may be disposed of, as seemeth best to the welfare of the state, without further delay.

"The lady hath a lineage and riches, and an excellence of person, that might render her of great account in some of these knotty negotiations, which so much fetter our movements of late. The time hath been, when a daughter of Venice, not more fair, was wooed to the bed of a sovereign."

..

Signore, those days of glory and greatness exist no longer. Should it be thought expedient to overlook the natural claims of my son, and to bestow my ward to the advantage of the republic, the most that can be expected through her means, is a favourable concession in some future treaty, or a new prop to some of the many decaying interests of the city. In this particular, she may be rendered of as much, or even of more use, than the oldest and wisest of our body. But that her will may be free, and the child may have no obstacles to her happiness, it will be necessary to make a speedy determination of the claim preferred by Don Camillo. Can we do better than to recommend a compromise, that he may return without delay to his own Calabria ?

66

The concern is weighty, and it demands deliberation."

"He complains of our tardiness already, and not without show of reason. It is five years since the claim was first preferred."

Signor Gradenigo, it is for the vigorous and healthful to display their activity, the aged and the tottering must move with caution. Were we, in Venice, to betray precipitation in so weighty a concern, without seeing an immediate interest in the judgment, we should trifle with a gale of fortune that every sirocco will not blow into the canals. We must have terms with the lord of Sant' Agata, or we greatly slight our own advantage." "I hinted of the matter to your excellencies, as a consideration for your wisdom; methinks it will be something gained to remove one so dangerous from the recollection, and from before the eyes, of a lovesick maiden."

"Is the damsel so amorous

"She is of Italy, Signore, and our sun bestows warm fancies and fervent minds."

"Let her to the confessional and her prayers! The godly prior of St. Mark will discipline her imagination, till she shall