death in triumph at the cardinal's midnight feast.

The Doge was almost distracted with terror and astonishment. He engaged to give ten thousand sequins to any person who should discover by whom Conari had been removed from the world. A proclamation to this effect was published at the corner of every street in Venice, and made known throughout the territories of the republic. A few days after this procla mation had been made, a paper was dis covered affixed to the principal door of the Venetian Signora.

VENETIANS!

You would fain know the author of Conari's death: to spare you much fruitless trouble, I hereby acknowledge that I, Abællino, was his assassin. Twice did I bury my dagger in his heart, and then sent his body to feed fishes. The Doge promises ten thousand sequins to him who shall discover Conari's murderer; and to him who shall be clever enough to seize him, Abællino promises twentyAdieu, Signors; I remain your faithfulf

servant,

ABELLINO.

Te

IT must be superfluous to inform my readers that all Venice became furious at this new insolence. Within the memory of man had no one ever treated with such derision the celebrated Venetian police, or set the Doge's power at defiance with such proud temerity. This occurrence threw the whole city into confusion; every one was on the look-out; the paroles were doubled; the sbirri extented their researches on all sides; yet no one could see, or hear, or discover the most distant trace of Abællino.

The priests in their sermons strove to rouse the slumbering vengeance of Heaven to crush this insolent offender, the ladies were ready to swoon at the very name of Abællino, for who could assure them that, at some unexpected moment, he might not pay them the same compliment

which he had paid to Rosabella? As for the old women, they unanimously asserted, that Abællino had sold himself to the Prince of Darkness, by whose assistance he was enabled to sport with the patience of all pious Venetians, and deride the im potence of their just indignation. The cardinal and his associates were proud of their terrible confederate, and looked forward with confidence to the triumphant issue of their undertaking. The deserted family of Conari called down curses on his murderer's head, and wished that their tears might be turned into a sea of sul phur, in whose waves they might plunge the monster Abællino: nor did Conari's relations feel more grief for his loss than the Doge and his two confidants, who swore never to take rest till they had discovered the lurking-place of the ruthless assassin, and had punished his crime with ten-fold vengeance.

'Yet, after all,' said Andreas one evening, as he sat alone in his private cham ber, after all it must be confessed that this Abællino is a singular man

-He

who can do what Abællino has done, must possess both such talents and such cour age as (stood he at the head of an army) would enable him to conquer half the

world! Would that I could once get a sight of him!?

'Look up then!' roared Abællino, and clapped the Doge on the shoulder-Andreas started from his seat. A colossal

figure stood before him, wrapt in a dark mantle, above which appeared a countenance so hideous and forbidding, that the universe could not have produced its equal. 'Who art thou?' stammered out the Doge.

"

'Thou seest me, and canst thou doubt? Well then, I am Aballino, the good friend of your murdered Conari, and the republic's most submissive slave.'

The brave Andreas, who had never trembled in fight by land or by sea, and for whom no danger had possessed terrors sufficient to shake his undaunted resolution, the brave Andreas now forgot for a few moments his usual presence of mind. Speechless did he gaze on the daring assassin, who stood before him calm and haughty, unappalled by the majesty of the greatest man in Venice.

Abællino nodded to him with an air of familiar protection, and graciously condescended to grin upon him with a kind of half friendly smile.

'Abællino,' at length said the Doge,

F2

endeavoring to recollect himself, thou art a fearful. a detestable man!'

Fearful?' answered the bravo; 'dost thou think me so? Good! that glads me to my very heart!-Detestable? That may be so, or it may not. I confess the sign which I hang out give no great promise of good entertainment within; but yet, Andreas, one thing is certain: You and I stand on the same line, for at this moment we are the two greatest men in Venice, you in your way, I in mine.'

The Doge could not help smiling at the bravo's familiar tone.

Nay, nay!' continued Abællino; no smiles of disbelief, if you please. Allow me though a bravo, to compare myself to a Doge; truly I think there's no great presumption in placing myself on a level with a man whom I hold in my power, and who therefore is in fact beneath me.' The Doge made a movement to leave the apartment.

Not so fast,' said Abællino, laughing rudely, and he barred the Doge's passage. • Accident seldom unites in so small a space as this chamber a pair of such great men-Stay where you are, for I have not done with you yet: we must have a little conversation.'