directed to the worship of the Creator than of the creature," murmured the monk.

"Some there are, holy father, who have admiration for both. Such I would fain hope is the happy lot of her who is favoured with the spiritual counsel of one so virtuous and wise as yourself. Here I place my fortune, let what may follow; and here would I gladly place a heavier stake, were it permitted."

As the cavalier spoke, he tendered to the silent fair a bouquet of the sweetest and most fragrant flowers; and among them were those to which poets and custom have ascribed the emblematic qualities of constancy and love. She, to whom this offering of gallantry was made, hesitated to accept it. It much exceeded the reserve imposed on one of her station and years, to allow of such homage from the other sex, though the occasion was generally deemed one that admitted of more than usual gallantry; and she evidently shrunk, with the sensitiveness of

one whose feelings were unpractised, from a homage so public.

"Receive the flowers, my love," mildly whispered her companion; "the cavalier who offers it simply intends to shew the quality of his breeding."

"That will be seen in the end," hastily returned Don Camillo-for it was he. " Signore, adieu; we have met on this water when there was less restraint between us."

He bowed, and signing to his gondolier, was quickly lost in the crowd of boats. Ere the barks, however, were separated, the mask of the silent fair was slightly moved, as if she sought relief from the air; and the Neapolitan was rewarded for his gallantry, by a momentary glance at the glowing countenance of Violetta.

66

Thy guardian hath a displeased eye," hurriedly observed Donna Florinda.

that we should be known !"

"I wonder

"I should more wonder that we were not.

I

could recal the noble Neapolitan cavalier amid a million! Thou dost not remember all that I owe to him!"

Donna Florinda did not answer; but, in secret, she offered up a fervent prayer that the obligation might be blessed to the future happiness of her who had received it. There was a furtive and uneasy glance between her and the Carmelite; but, as neither spoke, a long and thoughtful silence succeeded the rencontre.

From this musing, the party, in common with all the gay and laughing multitude by which they were surrounded, were reminded of the business on which they were assembled by the signal-gun, the agitation on the great canal nearest to the scene of strife, and a clear blast of the trumpets. But in order that the narrative may proceed regularly, it is fit that we should return, a little, in the order of time.

CHAPTER IX.

Here art thou in appointment fresh and fair,
Anticipating time with starting courage.

SHAKSPEARE.

IT has been seen that the gondolas, which were to contend in the race, had been towed towards the place of starting, in order that the men might enter on the struggle with undimi nished vigour. In this precaution, even the humble and half-clad fisherman had not been neglected, but his boat, like the others, was

attached to the larger barges to which this duty had been assigned. Still, as he passed along the canal, before the crowded balconies and groaning veseels which lined its sides, there arose that scornful and deriding laugh, which seems ever to grow more strong and bold, as misfortune weighs most heavily on its subject.

The old man was not unconscious of the remarks of which he was the subject; and, as it is rare indeed that our sensibilities do not survive our better fortunes, even he was so far conscious of a fall as not to be callous to contempt thus openly expressed. He looked wistfully on every side of him, and seemed to search, in every eye he encountered, some portion of the sympathy which his meek and humbled feelings still craved. But even the men of his caste and profession threw jibes upon his ear; and, though of all the competitors perhaps the one whose motive most hallowed his ambition, he was held to be the only proper subject of mirth. For the solu