Flodoardo (bowing to the Cardinal respectfully).--He still lives, signor.
Rosabella (pressing Camilla to her bosom). Didst thou hear that, Camilla? Didst thou hear it? The villain still lives. Not one drop of blood has stained the innocent hand of Flodoardo.
The Senator Vitalba.--Signor Contarino, I have won a thousand sequins of you.
Contarino.--So it should seem, signor.
Andreas.--My son, you have bound the Republic to you for ever, and Irejoice that it is to Flodoardo that she is indebted for a service so essential.
Vitalba.--And permit me, noble Florentine, to thank you for this heroic act in the name of the Senate of Venice. Our first care shall be to seek out a reward proportioned to your merits.
Flodoardo (extending his arms towards Rosabella, with a melancholy air).--There stands the only reward for which I wish.
Andreas (joyfully).--And that reward is your own. But where have you left the bloodhound? Conduct him hither, my son, and let me look at him once more. When I last saw him, he had the insolence to tell me, "Doge, I am your equal. This narrow chamber now holds the two greatest men in Venice." Now, then, let me see how this other great man looks in captivity.
Two or three Senators.--Where is he? Bring him hither.
Several of the ladies screamed at hearing this proposal. "For heaven's sake," cried they, "keep the monster away from us! I shall be frightened out of my senses if he comes here.""Noble ladies," said Flodoardo, with a smile, expressing rather sorrow than joy, "you have nothing to apprehend. Abellino shall do you no harm; but he needs must come hither to claim THE BRAVO'SBRIDE." And he pointed to Rosabella.
"Oh, my best friend," she answered, "how shall I express my thanks to you for having thus put an end to my terrors? I shall tremble no more at hearing Abellino named. Rosabella shall now be called the Bravo's Bride no longer."Falieri.--Is Abellino already in this palace?
Flodoardo.--He is.
Vitalba.--Then why do you not produce him? Why do you trifle so long with our impatience?
Flodoardo.--Be patient. It's now time that the play should begin.
Be seated, noble Andreas. Let all the rest arrange themselves behind the Doge. Abellino's coming!
At that word both old and young, both male and female, with the rapidity of lightning, flew to take shelter behind Andreas. Every heart beat anxiously; but as to the conspirators, while expecting Abellino's appearance, they suffered the torments of the damned.
Grave and tranquil sat the Doge in his chair, like a judge appointed to pass sentence on this King of the Banditti. The spectators stood around in various groups, all hushed and solemn, as if they were waiting to receive their final judgment. The lovely Rosabella, with all the security of angels whose innocence have nothing to fear, reclined her head on Camilla's shoulder and gazed on her heroic lover with looks of adoration. The conspirators, with pallid cheeks and staring eyes, filled up the background, and a dead and awful silence prevailed through the assembly, scarcely interrupted by a single breath.
"And now, then," said Flodoardo, "prepare yourselves, for this terrible Abellino shall immediately appear before you. Do not tremble; he shall do no one harm."With these words he turned away from the company, advanced towards the folding-doors. He paused for a few moments, and concealed his face in his cloak.
"Abellino!" cried he at length, raising his head, and extending his arm towards the door. At that name all who heard it shuddered involuntarily, and Rosabella advanced unconsciously a few steps towards her lover. She trembled more for Flodoardo than herself.
"Abellino!" the Florentine repeated, in a loud and angry tone, threw from him his mantle and barrette, and had already laid his hand on the lock of the door to open it, when Rosabella uttered a cry of terror.
"Stay, Flodoardo!" she cried, rushing towards him, and--Ha!
Flodoardo was gone, and there, in his place, stood Abellino, and shouted out, "Ho! ho!"