Rosabella.--Ah! Flodoardo, I fear this undertaking will end fatally. Abellino is so crafty, so dreadful. Oh! look well to yourself, for should you meet with the detested monster, whose dagger -Flodoardo (interrupting her hastily).--Oh! silence, Rosabella--at least allow me to hope. Noble Andreas, give me your hand, and pledge your princely word that, Abellino once in your power, nothing shall prevent me from being Rosabella's husband.
Andreas.--I swear it; deliver into my power, either alive or dead, this most dangerous foe of Venice, and nothing shall prevent Rosabella from being your wife. In pledge of which I here give you my princely hand.
Flodoardo grasped the Doge's hand in silence, and shook it thrice.
He turned to Rosabella, and seemed on the point of addressing her, when he suddenly turned away, struck his forehead, and measured the apartment with disordered and unsteady steps. The clock in the tower of St. Mark's church struck five.
"Time flies!" cried Flodoardo; "no more delay, then. In four-and-twenty hours will I produce in this very palace this dreaded bravo, Abellino."Andreas shook his head. "Young man," said he, "be less confident in your promises; I shall have more faith in your performance."Flodoardo (serious and firm).--Let things terminate as they may, either I will keep my word, or never again will cross the threshold of your palace. I have discovered some traces of the miscreant, and I trust that I shall amuse you to-morrow, at this time and in this place, with the representation of a comedy; but should it prove a tragedy instead, God's will be done.
Andreas.--Remember that too much haste is dangerous; rashness will destroy even the frail hopes of success which you may reasonably indulge at present.
Flodoardo.--Rashness, my lord? He who has lived as I have lived, and suffered what I have suffered, must have been long since cured of rashness.
Rosabella (taking his hand).--Yet be not too confident of your own strength, I beseech you! Dear Flodoardo, my uncle loves you, and his advice is wise! Beware of Abellino's dagger!
Flodoardo.--The best way to escape his dagger is not to allow him time to use it: within four-and-twenty hours must the deed be done, or never. Now, then, illustrious Prince, I take my leave of you.
To-morrow I doubt not to convince you that nothing is too much for love to venture.
Andreas.--Right; to venture: but to achieve?
Flodoardo.--Ah, that must depend--He paused suddenly again his eyes were fastened eagerly on those of Rosabella, and it was evident that with every moment his uneasiness acquired fresh strength. He resumed his discourse to Andreas, with a movement of impatience.
"Noble Andreas," said he, "do not make me dispirited; rather let me try whether I cannot inspire you with more confidence of my success.
I must first request you to order a splendid entertainment to be prepared. At this hour in the afternoon of to-morrow let me find all the principal persons in Venice, both men and women, assembled in this chamber; for should my hopes be realised, I would willingly have spectators of my triumph. Particularly let the venerable members of the College of Ten he invited, in order that they may at last he brought face to face with this terrible Abellino, against whom they have so long been engaged in fruitless warfare."Andreas (after eyeing him some time with a look of mingled surprise and uncertainty).--They shall be present.
Flodoardo.--I understand, also, that since Conari's death you have been reconciled to the Cardinal Gonzaga; and that he has convinced you how unjust were the prejudices with which Conari had inspired you against the nobility--Parozzi, Contarino, and the rest of that society. During my late excursions I have heard much in praise of these young men, which makes me wish to show myself to them in a favourable light. If you have no objection, let me beg you to invite them also.
Andreas.--You shall be gratified.
Flodoardo.--One thing more, which had nearly escaped my memory. Let no one know the motive of this entertainment till the whole company is assembled. Then let guards be placed around the palace, and, indeed, it may be as well to place them even before the doors of the saloon; for in truth this Abellino is such a desperate villain, that too many precautions cannot be taken against him. The sentinels must have their pieces loaded, and, above all things, they must be strictly charged, on pain of death, to let every one enter, but no one quit the chamber.
Andreas.--All this shall be done punctually.
Flodoardo.--I have nothing more to say. Noble Andreas, farewell.
Rosabella, to-morrow, when the clock strikes five, we shall meet again, or never.
He said, and rushed out of the apartment. Andreas shook his head;while Rosabella sank upon her uncle's bosom, and wept bitterly.