CHAPTER III.

More Confusion.

SINCE Rosabella's birth-day, no woman in Venice who had the slighest pretentions to beauty, or the most remote expectations in making conquests, had any subject of conversation except the handsome Florentine: he found employment for every female tongue, and she who dared not employ her tongue, made up for the privation with her thoughts. Many a maid now enjoyed less tranquil slumbers; many an experienced coquette sighed, as she laid on the colour at the looking-glass; many a prude forgot the rules which she had imposed upon herself, and daily frequented the gardens and public waks, 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 hazzard 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 dangerous an adventure; but still more were they astonished at his penetration in discovering where the bravos concealed themselves, an attempt which had 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 ap pear. 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 in the state was confided to his superintendance.

Both favors were conferred unsolicited; but no sooner was the Florentine apprais. ed of the Doge's benevolent care of him, than with modesty and respect he request. ed to decline the proposed advantages. The only favor which he requested was, to be permitted to live free and independ ent in Venice during one year, at the end

of which time he promised to name that nt employment which he esteemed best net adapted to his abilities and inclination.

Flodoardo was lodged in the magnificent palace of his good old patron Lomelblino: here he lived in the closest retirepement, studied the most valuable parts of

ancient and modern literature, remained for whole days together in his own apartesment, 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 honored by the intercourse of superior beings; men who had 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 assum. ed, and that a secret sorrow was preying on his heart.

In vain did Lomellino, who loved him like a father, endeavor to discover the

source of his melancholy; in vain did the venerable Doge exert himself to disperse the gloom which oppressed his young favorite; Flodoardo remained silent and sad.

And Rosabella?-Rosabella would have belied her sex, had she remained gay while Flodoardo sorrowed. Her spirits were flown; her eyes were frequently obscured with tears. She grew daily paler and paler; till the Doge, who doated on her, was seriously alarmed for her health. At length Rosabella grew really ill; a fever fixed itself upon her; she became weak, and was confined to her chamber, and her complaint baffled the skill of the most experienced physicians in Venice.

In the midst of these unpleasant cir. cumstances in which Andreas and his friends now found themselves, an incident occurred one morning, which raised their uneasiness to the highest pitch. Never had so bold and audacious an action been heard of in Venice, as that which I am now going to relate.

The four banditti, whom Flodoardo had secured, Pietrino, Struzza, Baluzzo and Thomaso, had been safely committed to the Doge's dungeons, where they under.

went a daily examination, and looked upon every sun that rose, as the last that would ever rise for them. Andreas and his confidential counsellors now flattered themselves that the public tranquillity had nothing more to apprehend, and that Venice was completely purified of the miscreants, whom gold could bribe to be the instruments of revenge and cruelty ... when all at once the following address was discovered affixed to most of the remarkable statues, and the corners of the principle streets, and pillars of the public buildings.

VENETIANS.

Struzzo, Thomaso, Pietrino, Baluzzo, and Matteo, five as brave men as the world ever produced; who, had they stood at the head of armies, would have been called heroes, and now being called banditti, are fallen victims to the injustice of state policy; these men, it is true, exist for you no longer but their place is supplied by him whose name is affixed to this paper, and who will stand by his employers with body and with soul! I laugh at the vigilance of the Venetian police; I laugh at the crafty and insolent Florentine, whose

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