have it until the child is fit to go into the world, armed with an honesty and faith that shall keep him from harm. Were my own brave son here, he would ask no other fortune for the lad, than such counsel and aid as a poor man has a right to bestow on his own flesh and blood."

"He fareth no worse than others; and thou knowest that the republic hath need of every

arm.

"Eccellenza, I saw the Signor Giacomo land from his gondola, as I entered the palace."

"Out upon thee, fellow! dost thou make no distinction between the son of a fisherman, one trained to the oar and toil, and the heir of an ancient house! Go to, presuming man, and remember thy condition, and the difference that God hath made between our children."

"Mine never gave me sorrow but the hour in which they died," said the fisherman, uttering a severe but mild reproof.

The Signor Gradenigo felt the sting of this retort, which in no degree aided the cause of his indiscreet foster-brother. After pacing the room in agitation for some time, he so far conquered his resentment, as to answer more mildly as became his rank.

"Antonio,” he said, "thy disposition and boldness are no strangers to me-If thou wouldst have masses for the dead, or gold for the living, they are thine; but in asking for my interest with the general of the gallies, thou askest that which, at a moment so critical, could not be yielded to the son of the doge, were the doge-"

"A fisherman," continued Antonio, observing that he hesitated-" Signore, adieu; I would not part in anger with my foster-brother, and I pray the saints to bless you and your house. May you never know the grief of losing a child by a fate far worse than death-that of destruction by vice."

As Antonio ceased, he made his reverence

and departed by the way he had entered. He retired unnoticed, for the senator averted his eyes, with a secret consciousness of the force of what the other, in his simplicity, had uttered; and it was some time before the latter knew he was alone. Another step, however, soon diverted his attention. The door re-opened, and a menial appeared. He announced that one without sought a private audience.

"Let him enter," answered the ready senator, smoothing his features to their customary cautious and distrustful expression.

The servant withdrew, when one masked and wearing a cloak, quickly entered the room. When the latter instrument of disguise was thrown upon an arm, and the visor was removed, the form and face of the dreaded Jacopo became visible.

CHAPTER VI.

Cæsar himself has work, and our oppression

Exceeds what we expected.

SHAKSPEARE.

"DIDST thou note him that left me ?" eagerly demanded the Signor Gradenigo.

"I did."

66

Enough so to recognise form and coun

tenance ?"

""Twas a fisherman of the Lagunes, named Antonio."

The senator dropped the extended limb, and regarded the Bravo, with a look, in which sur

prise and admiration were equally blended. He resumed his course up and down the room, while his companion stood waiting his pleasure, in an attitude so calm as to be dignified. A few minutes were wasted in this abstraction.

"Thou art quick of sight, Jacopo!" continued the patrician, breaking the pause"Hast thou had dealings with the man ?" "Never."

"Thou art certain it is-"

"Your eccellenza's foster-brother."

"I did not inquire into thy knowledge of his infancy and origin, but of his present state;" returned the Signor Gradenigo, turning away to conceal his countenance from the glowing eye of Jacopo-" Has he been named to thee by any in authority?"

"He has not-my mission does not lie with. fishermen."

Duty may lead us into still humbler society, young man. They who are charged with the grievous burthen of the state, must