the bravo of venice-第22章
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over the politics of the day； and discussed the various occurrences
of Europe。 The Cardinal and Contarino were engaged in a conference
with the Doge； while Memmo； Parozzi； and Falieri stood silent
together； and revolved the project whose execution was to take place
at midnight。
The weather was dark and tempestuous。 The wind roared among the
waters of the canal； and the vanes of the palace…towers creaked
shrilly and discordantly。 One storm of rain followed hard upon
another。
The clock struck four。 The cheeks of Rosabella； if possible； became
paler than before。 Andreas whispered something to his chamberlain。
In a few minutes the tread of armed men seemed approaching the doors
of the saloon； and soon after the clattering of weapons was heard。
Instantly a sudden silence reigned through the whole assembly。 The
young courtiers broke off their love…speeches abruptly； and the
ladies stopped in their criticisms upon the last new fashions。 The
statesmen dropped their political discussions； and gazed on each
other in silence and anxiety。
The Doge advanced slowly into the midst of the assembly。 Every eye
was fixed upon him。 The hearts of the conspirators beat painfully。
〃Be not surprised； my friends；〃 said Andreas； 〃at these unusual
precautions； they relate to nothing which need interfere with the
pleasures of this society。 You have all heard but too much of the
bravo Abellino； the murderer of the Procurator Conari； and of my
faithful counsellors Manfrone and Lomellino； and to whose dagger my
illustrious guest the Prince of Monaldeschi has but lately fallen a
victim。 This miscreant； the object of aversion to every honest man
in Venice； to whom nothing is sacred or venerable； and who has
hitherto set at defiance the whole vengeance of the Republicbefore
another hour expires； perhaps this outcast of hell may stand before
you in this very saloon。〃
All （astonished）。Abellino？ What； the bravo Abellino？
Gonzaga。Of his own accord！
Andreas。No； not of his own accord； in truth。 But Flodoardo of
Florence has undertaken to render this important service to the
Republic； to seize Abellino； cost what it may； and conduct him
hither at the risk of his life。
A Senator。The engagement will be difficult to fulfil。 I doubt
much Flodoardo's keeping his promise。
Another。But if he SHOULD perform it； the obligation which
Flodoardo will lay upon the Republic will not be trifling。
A Third。Nay； we shall be all his debtors； nor do I know how we can
reward Flodoardo for so important a service。
Andreas。Be that my task。 Flodoardo has demanded my niece in
marriage if he performs his promise。 Rosabella shall be his reward。
All gazed on each other in silence； some with looks expressing the
most heartfelt satisfaction； and others with glances of envy and
surprise。
Falieri （in a low voice）。Parozzi； how will this end？
Memmo。As I live； the very idea makes me shake as if I had a fever。
Parozzi （smiling contemptuously）。It's very likely that Abellino
should suffer himself to be caught！
Contarino。Pray inform me； signors； have any of you ever met this
Abellino face to face？
Several Noblemen at once。Not I。 Never。
A Senator。He is a kind of spectre； who only appears now and then；
when he is least expected and desired。
Rosabella。I saw him once； never again shall I forget the monster。
Andreas。And my interview with him is too well known to make it
needful for me to relate it。
Memmo。I have heard a thousand stories about this miscreant； the
one more wonderful than the other； and for my own part I verily
believe that he is Satan himself in a human form。 I must say that I
think it would be wiser not to let him be brought in among us； for
he is capable of strangling us all as we stand here； one after
another； without mercy。
〃Gracious Heaven！〃 screamed several of the ladies； 〃you don't say
so？ What； strangle us in this very chamber？〃
Contarino。The principal point is； whether Flodoardo will get the
better of HIM； or HE of Flodoardo。 Now I would lay a heavy wager
that the Florentine will return without having finished the
business。
A Senator。And _I_ would engage； on the contrary； that there is but
one man in Venice who is capable of seizing Abellino； and that THAT
man is Flodoardo of Florence。 The moment that I became acquainted
with him； I prophesied that one day or other he would play a
brilliant part in the annals of history。
Another Senator。I think with you； signor。 Never was I so struck
with a man at first sight as I was with Flodoardo。
Contarino。A thousand sequins on Abellino's not being taken； unless
death should have taken him first。
The First Senator。A thousand sequins on Flodoardo seizing him …
Andreas。And delivering him up to me； either alive or dead。
Contarino。Illustrious signors； you are witnesses of the wager。 My
Lord Vitalba； there is my hand on it。 A thousand sequins！
The Senator。Done。
Contarino （smiling）。Many thanks for your gold； signor。 I look on
it as already in my purse。 Flodoardo is a clever gentleman； no
doubt； yet I would advise him to take good care of himself； for he
will find that Abellino knows a trick or two； or I am much mistaken。
Gonzaga。May I request your Highness to inform me whether Flodoardo
is attended by the sbirri？
Andreas。No； he is alone。 Near four…and…twenty hours have elapsed
since he set out in pursuit of the bravo。
Gonzaga （to Contarino； with a smile of triumph）。I wish you joy of
your thousand sequins； signor。
Contarino （bowing respectfully）。Since your Excellency prophesies
it I can no longer doubt my success。
Memmo。I begin to recover myself！ Well； well！ let us see the end。
Three…and…twenty hours had elapsed since Flodoardo had entered into
the rash engagement。 The four…and…twentieth now hastened to its
completion； and yet Flodoardo came not。
CHAPTER V。THE CLOCK STRIKES FIVE。
The Doge became uneasy。 The senator Vitalba began to tremble for
his thousand sequins； and the conspirators could not restrain their
spiteful laughter； when Contarino gravely declared that he would
gladly lose； not ONE thousand sequins； but twenty； if the loss of
his wager through Abellino's being captured might but secure the
general safety of the Republic。
〃Hark！〃 cried Rosabella； 〃the clock strikes five！〃
All listened to the chimes in the tower of St。 Mark's Church； and
trembled as they counted the strokes。 Had not Camilla supported
her； Rosabella would have sank upon the ground。 The destined hour
was past； and still Flodoardo came not！
The venerable Andreas felt a sincere affection for the Florentine；
he shuddered as he dwelt upon the probability that Abellino's dagger
had prevailed。
Rosabella advanced towards her uncle as if she would have spoken to
him； but anxiety fettered her tongue； and tears forced themselves
into her eyes。 She struggled for a while to conceal her emotions；
but the effort was too much for her。 She threw herself on a sofa；
wrung her hands； and prayed to the God of mercy for help and
comfort。
The rest of the company either formed groups of whisperers； or
strolled up and down the apartment in evident uneasiness。 They
would willingly have appeared gay and unconcerned； but they found it
impossible to assume even an affectation of gaiety； and thus elapsed
another hour； and still Flodoardo came not。
At that moment the evening sun broke through the clouds； and a ray
of its setting glory was thrown full upon the countenance of
Rosabella。 She started from the sofa； extended her arms towards the
radiant orb； and exclaimed； while a smile of hope played round her
lips； 〃God is merciful； God will have mercy on me。〃
Contarino。Was it at five o'clock that Flodoardo engaged to produce
Abellino？ It is now a full hour beyond his time。
The Senato
