And still she answered not; but she threw upon him a look innocent and tender as ever beamed from the eye of an angel, and that look betrayed but too plainly that the miscreant was still master of her heart. She turned from him hastily, threw herself into Camilla's arms, and exclaimed, "God forgive you, man, for torturing me so cruelly!"The Doge had by this time recovered from his stupor. He started from his chair, threats flashed from his eyes, and his lips trembled with passion. He rushed towards Abellino; but the senators threw themselves in his passage, and held him back by force. In the meanwhile the bravo advanced towards him with the most insolent composure, and requested him to calm his agitation.
"Doge of Venice," said he, "will you keep your promise? That you gave it to me, these noble lords and ladies can testify."Andreas.--Monster! miscreant! Oh! how artfully has this plan been laid to ensnare me! Tell me, Venetians, to SUCH a creditor am Iobliged to discharge my fearful debt? Long has he been playing a deceitful bloody part; the bravest of our citizens have fallen beneath his dagger, and it was the price of their blood which has enabled him to act the nobleman in Venice. Then comes he to me in disguise of a man of honour, seduces the heart of my unfortunate Rosabella, obtains my promise by an artful trick, and now claims the maiden for his bride, in the hope that the husband of the Doge's niece will easily obtain an absolution for his crimes. Tell me, Venetians, ought I to keep my word with this miscreant?
All the Senators.--No, no, by no means.
Abellino (with solemnity).--If you have once pledged your word, you ought to keep it, though given to the Prince of Darkness. Oh, fie, fie! Abellino, how shamefully hast thou been deceived in thy reckoning. I thought I had to do with men of honour. Oh! how grossly have I been mistaken. (In a terrible voice.)--Once again, and for the last time, I ask you, Doge of Venice, wilt thou break thy princely word?
Andreas (in the tone of authority).--Give up your arms.
Abellino.--And you will really withhold from me my just reward?
Shall it be in vain that I delivered Abellino into your power?
Andreas.--It was to the brave Flodoardo that I promised Rosabella.
I never entered into any engagement with the murderer Abellino. Let Flodoardo claim my niece, and she is his; but Abellino can have no claim to her. Again I say lay down your arms.
Abellino (laughing wildly).--The murderer Abellino, say you? Ho!
ho! Be it your care to keep your own promises, and trouble not yourself about my murders, they are MY affair, and I warrant I shall find a word or two to say in defence of them, when the judgment day arrives.
Gonzaga (to the Doge).--What dreadful blasphemy.
Abellino.--Oh, good Lord Cardinal, intercede in my behalf, you know me well; I have always acted by you like a man of honour, that at least you cannot deny. Say a word in my favour, then, good Lord Cardinal.
Gonzaga (angrily, and with imperious dignity).--Address not thyself to ME, miscreant. What canst thou and I have to do together?
Venerable Andreas, delay no longer; let the guards be called in.
Abellino.--What? Is there then no hope for me? Does no one feel compassion for the wretched Abellino? What! NO ONE?--(a pause)--All are silent?--ALL! 'Tis enough. Then my fate is decided--call in your guards.
Rosabella (with a scream of agony, springing forward, and falling at the feet of the Doge).--Mercy, mercy! Pardon him--pardon ABELLINO!
Abellino (in rapture).--Sayest thou so? Ho! ho! then an angel prays for Abellino in his last moments.
Rosabella (clasping the Doge's knees).--Have mercy on him, my friend, my father, he is a sinner; but leave him to the justice of Heaven. He is a sinner, but oh, Rosabella loves him still.
Andreas (pushing her away with indignation).--Away, unworthy girl;you rave.
Abellino folded his arms, gazed with eagerness on what was passing, and tears gushed into his brilliant eyes. Rosabella caught the Doge's hand, as he turned to leave her, kissed it twice, and said, "If you have no mercy on HIM, then have none on ME. The sentence which you pass on Abellino will be mine; 'tis for my own life that Iplead as well as Abellino's. Father, dear father, reject not my suit, but spare him."Andreas (in an angry and decided tone).--Abellino dies.
Abellino.--And can you look on with dry eyes while that innocent dove bleeds at your feet? Go, barbarian; you never loved Rosabella as she deserved. Now she is yours no longer. She is mine, she is Abellino's.
He raised her from the ground, and pressed her pale lips against his own.
"Rosabella, thou art mine; death alone can part us. Thou lovest me as I WOULD be loved; I am blest whate'er may happen, and can now set fortune at defiance. To business, then."He replaced Rosabella, who was almost fainting, on the bosom of Camilla, then advanced into the middle of the chamber, and addressed the assembly with an undaunted air -"Venetians, you are determined to deliver me up to the axe of justice; there is for me no hope of mercy. 'Tis well, act as you please; but ere you sit in judgment over ME, signors, I shall take the liberty of passing sentence upon some few of YOU. Now mark me, you see in me the murderer of Conari, the murderer of Paolo Manfrone, the murderer of Lomellino. I deny it not. But would you know the illustrious persons who paid me for the use of my dagger?"With these words he put a whistle to his lips, sounded it, and instantly the doors flew open, the guards rushed in, and ere they had time to recollect themselves, the chief conspirators were in custody, and disarmed.