CHAPTER XIX. The decisive Day. THE next morning every thing in Venice seemed as tranquil as if nothing more than ordinary was on the point of taking place and yet since her first foundation, never had a more important day rose on the republic. The inhabitants of the ducal palace were in motion early. The impatient Andreas forsook the couch on which he had passed a sleepless and anxious night, as soon as the first sunbeams penetrated through the lattice of his chamber. Rosabella had employed the hours of rest on dreams of Flodoardo, and she still seemed to be dreaming of him, even after sleep was fled. Camilla's love for her fair pupil had broken her repose; she loved Rosabella as if she had been her daughter, and was aware that on this interesting day depended the love-sick girl's whole future happiness. For some time Rosabella was unusually gay; she sang to her harp the most lively airs and jested with Camilla for looking so serious and so uneasy; but when mid-day approached, her spirits began to forsake her. She quitted her instrument and paced the chamber with unsteady steps. With every succeeding hour her heart palpitated with greater pain and violence, and she trembled in expectation of the scene which was soon to take place. The most illustrious persons in Venice already filled her uncle's palace; the afternoon so much dreaded, and yet so much desired, was come; and the Doge now desired Camilla to conduct his niece to the great saloon, where she was expected with impatience by all those who were of most consequence in the republic. Rosabella sank on her knees before a statue of the Virgin. Blessed Lady,' she exclaimed with lifted hands, have mercy on me! let all to-day end well!' Pale as death did she enter the chamber, in which, on the day before, she b oo, and Flodoardo edged her love f sworn to risque his life to obtain her. Flodoardo was not yet arrived. The assembly was brilliant, the conversation was gay. They talked 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 Memino, Parozzi and Falieri, stood silent together, and revolved the projects whose execution were 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. 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 Abællino, 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. The 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 republic-before another hour expires, perhaps this outcast of hell may stand before you in this very saloon. All.-[astonished]-Abællino ?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 Abællino, cost what it may, and conduct him hither at the risque 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 heart-felt satisfaction, and others with glances of envy and surprise. Fulieri.-(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. Puras (sming 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 Abællino 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 shall I forget the monster! Andreas-And any interview with him is too well known to make it needful for me to relate it. for he is capable of strangling us all as we stand here, one after another, without mercy! Memmo.-I have heard a thousand stories about this miscreant, the one more wonderful than the other and for my own part, I verily The clock struck four. The cheeks of Rosa- believe that he is Satan himself in a human bella, if possible, became paler than before. form. I must say, that I think it would be Andreas whispered somewhat to his chamber-wiser not to let him be brought in among us. lain. In a few minutes the tread of armed men seemed approaching the door 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 statesinen 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 'Gracious heaven!' screamed several of the ladies; you don't say so? What! strangle us in this very chamber?' Flodoardo will get the better of him, or he of Contarino.-The principal point is whether Flodoardo :-now I would lay a heavy wager, that the Florentine will return without having finished the business. contrary, that there is but one man in Venice A Senator. And I would engage, on the who is capable of seizing Abællino, and that that man is Flodoardo of Florence. The moment that I became acquainted with him, I prophecied 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 much struck with a man at first sight as I was with Flodoardo. Contarino.-A thousand sequins on Abællino's not being taken-unless death should have taken him first. The first Senator.-A thousand sequins on Flodoardo's 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 Abællino knows a trick or two, or I am much mistaken. Gonzaga.—May I request your highness to inform me, whether Fiodoardo is attended by the sbirri? Andreas.-No, he is alone; near four-andtwenty 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. no Contarino.-(bowing respectfully)—since your Excellency prophecies it, I can 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 his rash engagement; the four-and-twentieth now hastened to its completion; and yet Flodoardo came not. CHAPTER YY. 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 lossof his wager through Abællino'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 floor. The destined hour was past, and still Flodoardo came not! affection for the Florentine: he shuddered The venerable Andreas felt a sincere as he dwelt upon the probability that Abællino's dagger had prevailed. she would have spoken to him; but anxiety Rosabella advanced towards her uncle as if fettered her tongue and tears forced themselves into her eyes. She struggled for a while to conceal her emotions, but the effort a sofa, wrung her hands, and prayed to the was too much for her. She threw herself on God of mercy for help and comfort. The rest of the company either formed groups of whisperers, or strolled up and They would willingly have appeared gay and down the apartment in evident uneasiness. 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 sopha, 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 too 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 Senator Vitalba.-Let him only produce him at last, and he may be a month beyond his time if he chooses. Andreas.-Hark!-No!-Silence! silence! surely I hear footsteps approaching the saloon! The words were scarcely spoken when the folding doors were thrown open, and Flodoardo rushed into the room, enveloped in his mantle. His hair streamed in the air in wild disorder; a deep shade was thrown over his face by the drooping plumes of his barrette, from which the rain was flowing; extreme melancholy was impressed on all his features; and he threw gloomy looks around him, as he bowed his head in salutation of the assembly. Every one crowded around him; every mouth was unclosed to question him; every eye was fixed on his face, as if eager to anticipate his answers. Holy Virgin!' exclaimed Memmo, 'I am afraid that' Be silent, Signor!' interrupted Contarino sternly; there is nothing to be afraid of.'Illustrious Venetians! it was thus that Flodoardo at length broke silence, and he spoke with the commanding tone of a hero; I conclude that his Highness has already made known to you the object of your being thus assembled. I come to put an end to your anxiety: but first, noble Andreas, I must once more receive the assurance that Rosabella of Corfu shall become my bride,| provided I deliver into your power the Bravo Abællino. Andreas.-(examining his countenance with extreme anxiety)—Flodoardo, have you succeeded? Is Abællino your prisoner? Flodoardo-If Abellino is my prisoner, shall Rosabella be my bride? Andreas.-Bring me Abællino, alive or dead, and she is yours-I swear it beyond the power of retracting, and swear also that her dowry shall be royal! Flodoardo.-Illustrious Venetians, ye have heard the Doge's oath? All-We are your witnesses. Flodoardo.-(advanced a few paces with a bold air, and speaking in a firm voice) Well then! Abellino is in my power, is in yours. All.-(in confusion and a kind of uproar.) In ours?-Merciful Heaven! Where is he? Abællino? Andreas.-Is he dead or living? Gonzaga (hastily) He lives? Flodoardo.-(bowing to the Cardinal spectfully) He still lives, Signor. Contarino.-So it should seem, Signor! Abellino!' cried he at length, raising his Andreas.-My son you have bound the head, and extending his arm towards the republic to you forever, and I rejoice that it door. At that name all who heard it shudis to Flodoardo that she is indebted for adered involuntarily, and Rosabella advanced service so essential. unconsciously a few steps towards her lover. She trembled at the Bravo's approach, yet trembled more for Flodoardo than herself. 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. Abællino? 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! CHAPTER XXI. Apparitions. Flodoardo.-(extending his arm towards Rosabella, with a melancholy air)-There stands the only reward for which I wish. Stay, Flodoardo! she cried rushing Andreas. (joyfully)-And that reward is towards him, and-Ha! Flodoardo was gone, your own-But where have you left the blood-and there in his place, stood Abællino, and hound? Conduct him hither, my son, and shouted out- Ho! ho!' let me look on him once more-When last I saw him, he had the insolence to tell meDoge, I am your equal: this narrow chamber now holds the two greatest men in INSTANTLY a loud cry of terror resounded Venice.' Now then let me see how this other through the apartment. Rosabella sank faintgreat man looks in captivity. ing at the Bravo's feet; the conspirators Two or three Senators.-Where is he?-were almost suffocated with rage, terror and Bring him hither! astonishment; the ladies made signs of the cross, and began in all haste to repeat their paternosters; the senators stood rooted to their places like so many statues and the Doge doubted the information of his ears and Several of the ladies screamed at hearing this proposal-' For heaven's sake! cried they, keep the monster away from us! 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. Abællino shall do you no harm; but he needs must come hither, to claim the Bravo's Bride.' And he pointed at Rosabella. O! my best friend!' she answered, how Falieri.-Is Aballino already in this palace? Vitalba. Then why do you not produce 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!-Aballino'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 conspi rators, while expecting Abællino'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 groupes, 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 back-ground; and a dead and awful silence prevailed through the assembly, scarcely interrupted by a single re-breath!' Rosabella.-(pressing Camilla to her bo som) 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. And now then,' said Flodoardo, prepare yourselves for this terrible Abællino shall appear before you! Do not tremble; he shall do no one barm.' With these words he turned away from the company, and advanced towards the foldingdoors: he paused for a few moments, and concealed his face in his cloak. eyes. Calm and terrible stood the Bravo before them, in all the pomp of his strange and awful ugliness; with his Bravo's habit, his girdle filled with pistols and poignards, his distorted yellow countenance, his black and bushy eye brows, his lips convulsed, his right eye covered by a large patch, and his left half buried among the wrinkles of flesh which swelled around it. He gazed round him for a few moments in silence, and then approached the stupified Andreas. Ho ho he roared in a voice like thunder, you wished to see the Bravo Abællino?-Doge of Venice, here he stands, and is come to claim his bride!' Andreas gazed with looks of horror on this model for demons, and at length stammered out with difficulty It cannot be real! I must surely be the sport of some terrible dream!' Without there! Guards! exclaimed the Cardinal Gonzaga, and would have hastened to the folding-doors; when Abællino put his back against them, snatched a pistol from his girdle and pointed it at the Cardinal's bosom. The first,' cried he, who calls for the guard, or advances one step from the place on which he stands, expires that moment— Fools! Do you think I would have delivered myself up, and desired that guards might beset these doors, had I feared their swords, or intended to escape from your power?No! I am content to be your prisoner, but not through compulsion! I am content to be your prisoner, and it was with that intent that I came hither. No mortal should have the glory of seizing Abællino; if justice required him to be delivered up, it was necessary that he should be delivered up by himself!—Or do you take Abællino for an ordinary ruffian, who passes his time in skulking from the shirri, and who murders for the sake of despicable plunder? No, by heaven, no! Abællino was no such common villain!-It's true I was a bravo; but the motives which induced me to become one were great and striking! Andreas.-(clasping his hands together)- saloon. All trembled while they listened to the voice of the terrible assassin, who strode through the chamber proud and majestic as the monarch of the infernal world. Rosabella opened her eyes; their first look fell upon the Bravo. Aballino —Hear me, beloved one! It was that at least you cannot deny!-Say one for thee that I have discovered myself-that word in my favor then, good Lord Cardinal ! I have delivered myself into the hands of Gonzaga.-(angrily and with imperious justice! For thee!-Oh! what would I not dignity)—Address not thyself to me, misdo for thee!-Rosabella, I wait but to hear creant! What canst thou and I have to do one syllable from your lips! speak but a together?-Venerable Andreas, delay no Oh! God of mercy!' she exclaimed, he decisive 'yes' or 'no! and all is ended! longer; let the guards be called in! is still there!-Methought too that Flodoar-Rosabella, dost thou love me still? Abellino.-What? Is there then no hope do-No, no; it could not be! I was deceived And still she answered not; but she threw for me? Does no one feel compassion for by witchcraft! upon him a look innocent and tender as ever the wretched Abællino ?—What? no one !— Abællino advanced towards her, and at-beamed from the eye of an angel, and that (a pause)-All are silent? all!-"Tis enough! tempted to raise her. She shrunk from his look betrayed but too plainly that the miscre- Then my fate is decided-Call in your touch with horror. ant was still master of her heart. She turned guards! from him hastily, threw herself into Camilla's Rosabella.-(with a scream of agony, arms, and exclaimed-' God forgive you, man, springing forward, and falling at the Doge's for torturing me so cruelly!' feet)-Mercy! mercy!-Pardon him-pardon Aballino. 'No, Rosabella,' said the Bravo in an altered voice, what you saw was no illusion. Your favored Flodoardo is no other than Abællino, the Bravo.' The Doge had by this time recovered from his stupor: he started from his chair; Aballino.-(in rapture)-Say'st thou so! threats flashed from his eyes, and his lips-Ho! ho! then an angel prays for Abællino trembled with passion-He rushed towards in his last moments! Abællino; but the senators threw themselves in his passage and held him back by force. In the mean while 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 !' 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! "Rosa bella loves him still, Andreas.-(pushing her away with indignation)-Away, unworthy girl; you rave! It is false!' interrupted Rosabella, starting from the ground in despair, and throwing herself for refuge on Camilla's bosom.'Monster, thou canst not be Flodoardo! such a fiend can never have been such a seraph!--Flodoardo's actions were good and glorious as a demi-god's! 'twas of him that I learnt to love good and glorious actions, and 'twas he who encouraged me to attempt them myself! His heart was pure from all mean passions, and capable of conceiving all Abællino folded his arms, gazed with great designs! Never did he scruple in the Andreas.-Monster! miscreant!-oh! how eagerness on what was passing, and tears cause of virtue to endure fatigue and pain: artfully has this plan been laid to ensnare gushed into his brilliant eyes. Rosabella and to dry up the tears of suffering innocence me! Tell me, Venetians; to such a creditor caught the Doge's hand, as he turned to leave -that was Flodoardo's proudest triumph!-am I obliged to discharge my fearful debt?-her, kissed it twice, and said—' If you have Flodoardo and thou,Wretch, whom many Long has he been playing a deceitful, bloody no mercy on him, then have none on me! a bleeding ghost has long since accused before part; the bravest of our citizens have fallen The sentence which you pass on Abællino the throne of Heaven, dare not thou to beneath his dagger, and it was the price of will be mine; 'tis for my own life that I plead profane the name of Flodoardo.' their blood which has enabled him to act the as well as Abællino's-Father! dear father! Abællino.-(proud and earnest)-Rosabel-nobleman in Venice. Then comes he to me reject not my suit, but spare him! la wilt thou forsake me? Wilt thou retract in the disguise of a man of honor, seduces Andreas.-(in an angry and decided tone) thy promise? Look, Rosabella, and be con- the heart of my unfortunate Rosabella, obtains-Abællino dies! vinced I, the Bravo and thy Flodoardo are my promise by an artful trick, and now the same! 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? He said, removed the patch from his eye, and passed an handkerchief over his face once or twice; in an instant his complexion was altered, his bushy eye-brows and straight black hair disappeared, his features were replaced in their natural symmetry, and lo! the handsome Florentine stood before the whole assembly, dressed in the habit of the Bravo Abællino. Aballino-Mark me, Rosabella! Seven times over, and seven times again, will I change my appearance, even before your eyes, and that so artfully, that study me as you will, the transformation shall still deceive you-But change as I may, of one thing be assured; I am the man whom you loved as Flodoardo.' Aballino-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 is she yours no longer! She is mine, she is Abællino's!' He raised her from the ground, and pressed her pale lips against his own. Rosabella, thou art mine; death alone parts us! thou lov'st me as I would be loved; I am blest whate'er may happen, and can now set fortune at defiance-To business then!' All the Senators.-No! no! by no means! Andreas.—(in a tone of authority)-Give The Doge gazed and listened without Abellino-And you will really withhold being able to recover from his confusion; from me my just reward ?-Shall it be in vain but every now and then the words- Dread-that I delivered Abællino into your power? ful! dreadful!' escaped from his lips, and Andreas. It was to the brave Flodoardo he wrung his hands in agony. Abællino that I promised Rosabella; I never entered approached Rosabella, and said in the tone of supplication-Rosabella wilt thou break thy promise?-Am I no longer dear to thee?' Rosabella was unable to answer; she stood like one chained to a statue, and fixed her motionless eyes on the Bravo. Abællino took her cold hand, and pressed it to his lips. Rosabella,' said he, art thou still mine?' Rosabella-Flodoardo-Oh! that I had never loved-had never seen thee! Aballino-Rosabella wilt thou still be the bride of Flodoardo ?-wilt thou be the Bravo's bride ?' Love struggled with abhorrence in Rosabella's bosom, and painful was the contest. 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 'Venetians, you are determined to deliver me up to the axe of justice! there is for me no hopes of mercy! "Tis well! act as you please; but e're 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 murinto an engagement with the murderer Abæl-derer of Lomellino! I deny it not! But lino-Let Flodoardo claim my niece and she would you know the illustrious persons who is his; but Aballino can have no claim to paid me for the use of my dagger-.' her. Again I say lay down your arms. With these words he put a whistle to his Abællino.-(laughing wildly)-The mur-ips, sounded it and instantly the doors flew derer Abællino, say you? Ho! ho! Be it your care to keep your promises, and trouble not yourself about my murders-they are my affair, and I warrant I shall find a word of two to say in defence of them when the judgment day arrives. open, the guards rushed in, and ere they had time to recollect themselves, the chief conspirators were in custody, and disarmed. Guard them well! said Abællino in a terrible voice to the sentinels; you have your orders! noble Venetians, look on these Gonzaga.—(to the Dogc)-What dreadful villains; it is to them that you are indebted blasphemy! for the loss of your three noblest citizens! I Aballino-Oh! good Lord Cardinal, in-accuse of those murders, one, two, three, tercede in my behalf-You know me well; four-and my good Lord Cardinal there has have always acted by you like a man of honor, "the honor to be the fifth.'-- Motionless and bewildered stood the accused; tale-telling confession spoke in every feature that the charge was true, and no one was bold enough to contradict Abællino. What can all this mean?' asked the senators of each other, in the utmost surprise and confusion. This is all a shameful artifice,' the Cardinal at length contrived to say; the villain perceiving that he has no chance of escaping punishment, is willing out of mere resentment, to involve us in his destruction. Contarino.-(recovering himself)-in the wickedness of his life he has surpassed all former miscreants, and now he is trying to surpass them in the wickedness of his death. Abællino.-(with majesty)—Be silent!-I know your whole plot, have seen your list of proscriptions, a well informed of your whole arrangement, and at the moment that I speak to you, the officers of justice are employed, by my orders, in seizing the gentlemen with the white ribands round their arms, who this very night intended to overturn Venice-Be silent, for defence were vain. Andreas.-(in astonishment)-Abellino, what is the meaning of all this? Abellino. Neither more nor less than that Abellino has discovered and defeated a conspiracy against the constitution of Venice, and the life of its Doge! The Bravo, in return for your kind intention of sending him to destruction in a few hours, has preserved you from it. Vitalba.-(to the accused)-Noble Venetians, you are silent under this heavy charge? Aballino-They are wise, for no defence could now avail them. Their troops are already disarmed and lodged in separate dungeons of the state prison: visit them there, and you will learn more. You now understand, probably, that I did not order the doors of the saloon to be guarded for the purpose of seizing the terrible Bravo Aballino, but of taking those heroes into secure custody. Venetians he exclaimed, Abællino has told you true!' 'Tis false! 'tis false' exclaimed the accused altogether. Again he sounded his whistle; the folding We are betrayed!' shouted Contarino, The conspirators remained silent-Sud-| last moments conscience asserted her empire denly Memmo started forward, and threw in his bosom. He died not till he had himself trembling at the Doge's fret. written in his tablets the most positive decla ration of my innocence as to the crimes with which his hatred had contrived to blacken me; and he also instructed me by what means I might obtain at Naples the restoraSilence cried Abællino in a voice of tion of my forfeited cstates and the rethunder, while the indignation which flamed establishment of my injured honor. Those in every feature struck terror into his hearers; means have been already efficacious, and all silence, I say, and hear me-or rather hear Naples is by this time informed of the arts the ghosts of your victims !-Appear! ap- by which Monaldeschi procured my banishpear!' cried this dreadful man in a tone stillment, and of the many plots which he laid louder, 'tis time!' for my destruction; plots, which made it necessary for me to drop my own character, and never to appear but in disguise. After various wanderings, chance led me to Venice; my appearance was so much altered, that I dreaded not discovery, but I dreaded (and with reason) perishing in your streets with hunger. In this situation, accident brought me acquainted with the banditti, by whom Venice was then infested, I willingly united myself to their society, partly with the view of purifying the republic from the presence of these wretches, and partly in the hope of discovering through them the more illustrious villains by whom their daggers were employed. I was successful; I delivered the banditti up to justice, and stabbed their captain in Rosabella's sight. I was now the only Bravo in Venice; every scoundrel was obliged to have recourse to me: I discovered the plans of the conspirators, and now you know them also. I found that the deaths of the Doge's three friends had been determined on; and in order to obtain full confidence with the confederates, it was necessary to persuade them that these men had fallen beneath my dagger. No sooner had my plan been formed than I imparted it to Lomellino; he, and he only, was my confidant in this business. He presented me to the Doge as the son of a deceased friend; he assisted me with his advice; he furnished me with keys to those doors to the public gardens which no one were permitted to pass through except Andreas and his particular friends, and which frequently enabled me to elude pursuit; he showed me several private passages in the palace, by which I could penetrate unobserved even in the Doge's very bed chamber; when the time for his disappearance arrived, he not only readily con And now what a scene of rapture followed. Tears streamed down the silver beard of Andreas as he rushed into the arms of his long-lost companions tears bedewed the cheeks of the venerable triumvirate, as they once more clasped the knees of their prince, their friend, their brother! These excellent men, these heroes, never had Andreas hoped to meet them again till they should meet in Heaven; and Andreas blest Heaven for permitting him to meet them once more on earth. Those four men, who had valued each other in the first dawn of youth, who had fought by each other's side in manhood, were now assembled in age, and valued each other more than ever!-The spectators gazed with universal interest on the scene before them, and the good old senators mingled tears of joy with those shed by the re-united companions. In the happy delirium of this moment nothing but Andreas and his friends was attended to: no one was aware that the conspirators and the self murdered Contarino were removed by the guards from the saloon; no one but Camilla observed Rosabella, who threw herself sobbing on the bosom of the handsome Bravo, and repeated a thousand times- Abællino is then not a murderer' And now, Venetians, compare together your conduct and mine! At the hazard of my life have I preserved the state from ruin; At length they began to recollect themdisguised as a bravo I dared to enter the selves-they looked round them-and the assembly of these ruthless villains whose first words which broke from every lip were daggers laid Venice waste; I have endured Hail savior of Venice!'-The roof rang for your sakes storm, and rain, and frost, with the name of Abællino, and unnumbered and heat; Venice owes to my care her blessings accompanied the name. sented to lie concealed in a retreat known constitution and your lives; and yet are my That very Abællino, who not an hour only to ourselves, but was also the means of services deserving of no reward?-All this before had been doomed to the scaffold by inducing Manfrone and Conari to join him have I done for Rosabella of Corfu, and yet the whole assembly, now stood calm and in his retirement, till the fortunate issue of will you withhold from me my promised dignified as a god before the adoring specta-this day's adventure permitted me to set them bride? I have saved you from death, have tors; and now he viewed with complacency once more at liberty. The banditti exist no saved the honor of your wives from the the men whose lives he had saved, and now longer; the conspirators are in chains; my polluter's kiss, and the throats of your inno-his eye dwelt with rapture on the woman plans are accomplished; and now, Venetians, cent children from the knife of the assassin-whose love was the reward of all his dangers. if you still think him deserving of it, here Men! men! and yet will you send me to the Abællino!' said Andreas, advancing to the stands the Bravo Abellino, and you may lead scaffold? Bravo, and extending his hand towards him. him to the scaffold when you will!' 'I am not Abællino,' replied he smiling, while he pressed the Doge's hand respectfully to his lips, neither am I Flodoardo of Florence. I am by birth a Neapolitan, and by name Rosalvo; the death of my inveterate enemy the Prince of Monaldeschi makes it no longer necessary to conceal who I really Look on this list! See how many among you would have bled!-Read you not in every feature that they are already condemned by Heaven and their own conscience? Does a single mouth unclose itself in exculpation? Does a single movement of the head give the lie to my charge? Yet the truth of what I have advanced shall be made still more evi-am. dent. Monaldeschi?' repeated Andreas with a look of anxiety. Fear not!' continued Rosalvo; Monaldeschi, it's true, fell by my hand, but fell in honorable combat. The blood which stained his sword flowed from my veins, and in his 6 To the scaffold?' exclaimed at once the Doge, the senators, and the whole crowd of nobility; and every one burst into enthusiastic praises of the dauntless Neapolitan. Oh! Abællino,' exclaimed Andreas while he wiped away a tear; I would gladly give my ducal bonnet to be such a Bravo as thou hast been!'-' Doge,' didst thou once say to me, thou and I are the two greatest men in Venice'-But oh! how much greater is the Bravo than the Doge!-Rosabella is that jewel than which I have nothing in the world more precious; Rosabella is dearer to me than an emperor's crown; Rosabella is thine,' maid to his bosom. CHAPTER XXII. AND now it would be not at all amiss to make Count Rosalvo sit down quietly between the good old Doge and his lovely niece, and then cause him to relate the motive of Abællino said Rosabella, and extended of his nature over this vast territory. He her hand to the handsome Bravo. wished for no covering, but the blue arched Triumph!' cried he, Rosabella is the Bravo's bride !'—and he clasped the blushing canopy of heaven, and for no bed, but the green clad earth. The bounding deer, the howling wolf and the growling bear, were the victims of his daring arrow. The red man has gone. The smoke of his cabin no longer curls up among the branches of the lofty trees. The war-whoop no longer echoes Monaldeschi's hatred, in what manner he through our forests. Yes! the Indian has lost Valeria, what crimes were imputed to gone! He sleeps with his fathers, and the him, and how he escaped from the assassins ploughshare passes over his grave. The sent in pursuit of him by his enemy; how he names of the mighty warriors of his tribe are had long wandered from place to place, and how he had at length learnt (during his abode forgotten-their glorious deeds are in the in Bohemia with a gang of gypsies) such oblivious bosom of time—their heroic virtues means of disguising his features as enabled have no place among the records of the him to defy the keenest penetration to dis-world. They had no historians to record the cover in the beggar Abællino the once history of their lives-no poets to immortalize admired Count Rosalvo; how in this disguise them in deathless song. he had returned to Italy; and how Lomellino, having ascertained that he was universalThe red man has gone, and another race ly believed at Naples to have long since now occupies his hunting grounds.' Chrisperished by shipwreck, (and therefore that tian and civilized man has felled the forests neither the officers of the Inquisition nor the and turned them into highly cultivated fields, assassins of his enemy were likely to trouble themselves any more about him,) he had green pastures, and pleasant meadows. By ventured to resume with some slight altera-his industry and perseverance, the 'wilderness tions his own appearance at Venice ;-how has been made to blossom like the rose.' In the arrival of Monaldeschi had obliged him the place of the Indian hut, are to be seen to conceal himself, till an opportunity offered favor; how he had resolved to make use of Monaldeschi's death to terrify Andreas still further, and of Parozzi's conspiracy to obtain Rosabella's hand of the Doge; how he had trembled lest the heart of his mistress should have been only captivated by the romantic appearance of the adventurer Flodoardo and have rejected him when known to be the Bravo Abællino; how he had resolved to make use of the terror inspired by the assassin to put her love to the severest trial; and how had she failed in that trial, he had determined to renounce the inconstant maid forever; with many other hows, whys, and wherefores, which not being explained will, I mystery: but before I begin Rosalvo's history I must ask two questions doubt leave much of this tale involved in of presenting himself to the Prince when neat frame houses, the pleasant and cheerful unattended, and of demanding satisfaction abode of the happy husbandman. In the for his injuries; how he had been himself place of reverend oaks,' and 'lofty elms,' wounded in several places by his antagonist, that reared their tops above the clouds, and though the combat finally terminated in his bid defiance to the lightnings, winds and storms, are to be seen the spires of temples, erected for the worship of the living God, glittering in the bright sunbeams of heaven. Throughout our Western land, the sound of the hammer and the hum of industry is every where heard, and the honest tradesman quickly rises to affluence and fortune. Schools and academies are daily increasing The great and important subject of general education is receiving more attention, and gaining influence in our legislative halls, and awakening a deeper feeling in the minds of every community. Upon nothing does the happiness and prosperity of our Westeru country more depend, than EDUCATION. If our sons shall be educated-if a healthful into their minds-if they shall be taught the spirit of morals shall be instilled in early life arts and sciences, and be made to feel that it is intelligence and virtue alone that can uphold and support the pillars of a republican government, then may we hope that the longevity of our government will be indefinitely protracted.' But if the great subject of popular education is neglected-if our sons and daughters grow up in ignorance-without Bur a few years ago, our Western country feeling the important claims which society has was an uncultivated, wild and howling wilder- upon them-without possessing characters ness. The red man, acknowledging no formed upon moral rectitude, based upon superior but the Great Spirit and owing solid virtue-without inheriting the firm allegiance to no one but Him, roamed in patriotism and unyielding integrity of our lordly pride, and in the dignity and majesty || fathers, then may we bid a last farewell to the First, Do my readers like the manner in which I relate adventures? of relating adventures, can't I employ my Secondly, If my readers do like my manner time better than in relating them? When these questions are answered, I may possibly resume my pen. In the mean while, gentlemen and ladies, good night, and pleasant dreams attend you! COMMUNICATIONS. For the Rural Repository. 6 liberty of our young republic ;-then will the glory of our institutions be annihilated forever, and our dear bought freedom be consigned to the tomb of oblivion. The West-how wide in extent! how vast in resources! how abundant in all the productions of our climate! What a field does it open and present for the enterprising and industrious man, And how amply does our fertile soil, How great is the increase of population, and How rapid has been our advancement in improvement. Cities have sprung in the midst of the wilderness, and astonished the traveler on his way to the prairies of the 'far West.' Beautiful towns and villages are spread throughout our country. Thousands are yearly emigrating from our father-land, of mountain and of rock,' and yet there is room.' What an immense multitude is our fertile country capable of supporting-and who can tell what effect the WEST will have upon the destiny of this young republic, the worlds best treasure and last hope.' Ohio, 1834. PATRICK. MISCELLANY. Honaparte and the two Sailors. LAURISTON relates among other anecdotes to Napoleon's sojourn at the camp of Boulogne, a remarkable_instance of intrepidity, on the part of two English sailors. These men had been prisoners at Verdun, from whence they made their escape, and arrived at Boulogne, without having been discovered with which all the English were watched. on the road, notwithstanding the vigilance They remained at Boulogne for some time, without money, and unable to effect their escape. They had no hope of getting aboard a boat, on account of the strict watch kept on vessels of every kind. They however made a boat of little pieces of wood, which they put together as well as they could, having no other tools than their knives. They covered it with a piece of sail-cloth. It easily carry it on his shoulders. So powerful was only three or four feet wide, and not much longer, and so slight that a man could a passion is the love of home and liberty! Certain of being shot if discovered; almost equally sure of being drowned if they put to sea, they nevertheless, resolved to attempt crossing the channel in their fragile skiff. Perceiving an English frigate within sight of the coast, they pushed off and endeavored to reach her. They had not gone a hundred toises from the shore, when they were seen by the Custom-house officers, who pursued and brought them back. The news of this adventure spread through the camp, where the extraordinary courage of the two sailors was the subject of general remark. The He wished to see the men, and they were circumstance reached the Emperor's ears. conducted to his presence, along with their |