“Hast thou aught in particular, good Roderigo?”
demanded the mariner, who knew the Bravo by a
sign, and yet who only knew him by that fictitious
name. “Thou seest we have not passed the time
idly, though yesterday was a festa.”

“Art thou ready for the gulf?”

“For the Levant, or the pillars of Hercules, as
shall please the senate. We have got our yard aloft
since the sun went behind the mountains, and though
we may seem careless of delay, an hour's notice will
fit us for the outside of the Lido.”

“Then take the notice.”

“Master Roderigo, you bring your news to an
overstocked market. I have already been informed
that we shall be wanted to-night.”

The quick movement of suspicion made by the
Bravo escaped the observation of the padrone, whose
eye was running over the felucca's gear, with a sailor's
habitual attention to that part of his vessel, when
there was question of its service.

“Thou art right, Stefano. But there is little harm
in repeated caution. Preparation is the first duty in
a delicate commission.”

“Will you look for yourself, Signor Roderigo?”
said the mariner, in a lower tone. “La Bella Sorrentina
is not the Bucentaur, nor a galley of the
Grand Master of Malta; but, for her size, better
rooms are not to be had in the palace of the doge.
When they told me there was a lady in the freight,
the honor of Calabria was stirred in her behalf.”

“'Tis well. If they have named to thee all the
particulars, thou wilt not fail to do thyself credit.”

“I do not say that they have shown me half of
them, good Signore;” interrupted Stefano. “The
secrecy of your Venetian shipments is my greatest
objection to the trade. It has more than once happened
to me, that I have lain weeks in the canals,
with my hold as clean as a friar's conscience, when

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orders have come to weigh, with some such cargo
as a messenger, who has got into his berth as we
cleared the port, to get out of it on the coast of Dalmatia,
or among the Greek islands.”

“In such cases thou hast earned thy money easily.”

“Diamine! Master Roderigo, if I had a friend
in Venice to give timely advice, the felucca might
be ballasted with articles that would bring a profit,
on the other shore. Of what concern is it to the
senate, when I do my duty to the nobles faithfully,
that I do my duty at the same time to the good woman
and her little brown children, left at home, in
Calabria?”

“There is much reason in what thou sayest, Stefano;
but thou knowest the republic is a hard master.
An affair of this nature must be touched with
a gentle hand.”

“None know it better than I, for when they sent
the trader with all his movables out of the city, I
was obliged to throw certain casks into the sea, to
make room for his worthless stuffs. The senate
owes me just compensation for that loss, worthy Signor
Roderigo!”

“Which thou would'st be glad to repair, to-night?”

“Santissima Maria! You may be the doge himself,
Signore, for any thing I know of your countenance;
but I could swear at the altar you ought
to be of the senate for your sagacity!—If this lady
will not be burthened with many effects, and there
is yet time, I might humor the tastes of the Dalmatians
with certain of the articles that come from the
countries beyond the pillars of Hercules!”

“Thou art the judge of the probability thyself,
since they told thee of the nature of thy errand.”

“San Gennaro of Napoli, open my eyes!—They
said not a word beyond this little fact, that a youthful
lady, in whom the senate had great interest, would

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quit the city this night for the eastern coast. If it
is at all agreeable to your conscience, Master Roderigo,
I should be happy to hear who are to be her
companions?”

“Of that thou shalt hear more in proper season.
In the meantime, I would recommend to thee a cautious
tongue, for St. Mark makes no idle jokes with
those who offend him. I am glad to see thee in this
state of preparation, worthy padrone, and wishing
thee a happy night, and a prosperous voyage, I
commit thee to thy patron. But hold—ere I quit
thee, I would know the hour that the land-breeze
will serve?”

“You are exact as a compass in your own matters,
Signore, but of little charity to thy friends!
With the burning sun of to-day we should have the
air of the Alps, about the turn of the night.”

“'Tis well.—My eye shall be on thee. Once more,
addio.”

“Cospetto! and thou hast said nothing of the
cargo?”

“'Twill not be so weighty in bulk as in value,”
carelessly answered Jacopo, shoving his gondola
from the side of the felucca. The fall of his oar into
the water succeeded, and as Stefano stood, meditating
the chances of his speculation on his deck, the
boat glided away towards the quay, with a swift but
easy movement.

Deceit, like the windings of that subtle animal the
fox, often crosses its own path. It consequently
throws out those by whom it is practised, as well
as those who are meant to be its victims. When
Jacopo parted from Don Camillo, it was with an understanding
that he should adopt all the means that
his native sagacity, or his experience might suggest,
to ascertain in what manner the council intended to
dispose of the person of Donna Violetta. They had
separated on the Lido, and as none knew of their

[figure description] Page 076.[end figure description]

interview but him, and none would probably suspect
their recent alliance, the Bravo entered on his new
duty with some chances of success, that might otherwise
have been lost. A change of its agents, in affairs
of peculiar delicacy, was one of the ordinary
means taken by the republic to avoid investigation.
Jacopo had often been its instrument in negotiating
with the mariner, who, as has been so plainly intimated,
had frequently been engaged in carrying into
effect its secret, and perhaps justifiable measures of
police; but in no instance had it ever been found
necessary to interpose a second agent between the
commencement and the consummation of its bargains,
except in this. He had been ordered to see
the padrone, and to keep him in preparation for immediate
service; but since the examination of Antonio
before the council, his employers had neglected
to give him any farther instructions. The danger
of leaving the bride within reach of the agents of
Don Camillo was so obvious, that this unusual caution
had been considered necessary. It was under
this disadvantage, therefore, that Jacopo entered on
the discharge of his new and important duties.

That cunning, as has just been observed, is apt to
overreach itself, has passed into a proverb; and the
case of Jacopo and his employers was one in point
to prove its truth. The unusual silence of those who
ordinarily sought him on similar occasions, had not
been lost on the agent; and the sight of the felucca,
as he strayed along the quays, gave an accidental
direction to his inquiries. The manner in which
they were aided, by the cupidity of the Calabrian,
has just been related.

Jacopo had no sooner touched the quay and secured
his boat, than he hastened again to the Broglio.
It was now filled by maskers and the idlers
of the Piazzetta. The patricians had withdrawn to
the scenes of their own pleasures, or, in furtherance

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of that system of mysterious sway which it was
their policy to maintain, they did not choose to remain
exposed to the common eye, during the hours
of license which were about to follow.

It would seem that Jacopo had his instructions,
for no sooner did he make sure that Don Camillo
had retired, than he threaded the throng with the
air of a man whose course was decided. By this
time, both the squares were full, and at least half of
those who spent the night in those places of amusement,
were masked. The step of the Bravo, though
so unhesitating, was leisurely, and he found time, in
passing up the Piazzetta, to examine the forms, and,
when circumstances permitted, the features of all
he met. He proceeded, in this manner, to the point
of junction between the two squares, when his elbow
was touched by a light hand.

Jacopo was not accustomed, unnecessarily, to
trust his voice in the square of St. Mark, and at that
hour. But his look of inquiry was returned by a sign
to follow. He had been stopped by one, whose
figure was so completely concealed by a domino,
as to baffle all conjecture concerning his true character.
Perceiving, however, that the other wished
to lead him to a part of the square that was vacant,
and which was directly on the course he was about
to pursue, the Bravo made a gesture of compliance
and followed. No sooner were the two apart from
the pressure of the crowd, and in a place where no
eaves-dropper could overhear their discourse without
detection, than the stranger stopped. He appeared
to examine the person, stature, and dress of
Jacopo, from beneath his mask, with singular caution,
closing the whole with a sign that meant recognition.
Jacopo returned his dumb show, but
maintained a rigid silence.

“Just Daniel!” muttered the stranger, when he
found that his companion was not disposed to speak;

[figure description] Page 078.[end figure description]

“one would think, illustrious Signore, that your
confessor had imposed a penance of silence, by the
manner in which you refuse to speak to your servant.”

“What would'st thou?”

“Here am I, sent into the piazza, among knights
of industry, valets, gondoliers, and all other manner
of revellers that adorn this Christian land, in search
of the heir of one of the most ancient and honorable
houses of Venice.”

“How knowest thou I am he thou seekest?”

“Signore, there are many signs seen by a wise
man, that escape the unobservant. When young
cavaliers have a taste for mingling with the people
in honorable disguise, as in the case of a certain
patrician of this republic, they are to be known by
their air, if not by their voices.”

“Thou art a cunning agent, Hosea; but the
shrewdness of thy race is its livelihood!”

“It is its sole defence against the wrongs of the
oppressor, young noble. We are hunted like wolves.
and it is not surprising that we sometimes show the
ferocity of the beasts you take us for. But why
should I tell the wrongs of my people to one who
believes life is a masquerade!”

“And who would not be sorry, ingenious Hosea,
were it composed only of Hebrews! But, thy errand;
I have no gage unredeemed, nor do I know
that I owe thee gold.”

“Righteous Samuel! you cavaliers of the senate
are not always mindful of the past, Signore, or
these are words that might have been spared. If
your excellency is inclined to forget pledges, the
fault is not of my seeking; but as for the account
that has been so long growing between us, there is
not a dealer on the Rialto that will dispute the
proofs.”

[figure description] Page 079.[end figure description]

“Well, be it so—would'st thou dun my father's
son in the face of the revellers in St. Mark?”

“I would do no discredit to any come of that
illustrious race, Signore, and therefore we will say
no more of the matter; always relying that, at the
proper moment, you will not question your own
hand and seal.”

“I like thy prudence, Hebrew. It is a pledge
thou comest on some errand less ungracious than
common. As I am pressed for time, 'twill be a favor
wert thou to name it.”

Hosea examined, in a convert but very thorough
manner, the vacant spot around them, and drawing
nearer to the supposed noble, he continued.

“Signore, your family is in danger of meeting
with a great loss! It is known to you that the senate
has altogether and suddenly removed Donna Violetta,
from the keeping of the faithful and illustrious
senator your father.”

Though Jacopo started slightly, the movement
was so natural for a disappointed lover, that it rather
aided than endangered his disguise.

“Compose yourself, young Signore,” continued
Hosea; “these disappointments attend us all in
youth, as I know by severe trials. Leah was not
gained without trouble, and next to success in barter,
success in love is perhaps the most uncertain.
Gold is a great make-weight in both, and it commonly
prevails. But, you are nearer to losing the
lady of your love and her possessions, than you may
imagine, for I am sent expressly to say, that she is
about to be removed from the city.”

“Whither?” demanded Jacopo, so quickly as to
do credit to his assumed character.

“That is the point to learn, Signore. Thy father
is a sagacious senator, and is deep, at times, in the
secrets of the state. But, judging from his uncertainty
on this occasion, I take it he is guided more

[figure description] Page 080.[end figure description]

by his calculations, than by any assurance of his
own knowledge. Just Daniel! I have seen the moments
when I have suspected that the venerable
patrician himself was a member of the Council of
Three!”

“His house is ancient and his privileges well established—
why should he not?”

“I say naught against it, Signore. It is a wise
body, that doeth much good, and preventeth much
harm. None speak evil of the secret councils on
the Rialto, where men are more given to gainful industry
than to wild discussions of their rulers' acts.
But, Signore, be he of this or that council, or merely
of the senate, a heedful hint has fallen from his
lips, of the danger we are in of losing—”

“We!—Hast thou thoughts of Donna Violetta,
Hosea?”

“Leah, and the law forbid!—If the comely queen
of Sheba, herself, were to tempt me, and a frail nature
showed signs of weakness, I doubt that our
rabbis would find reasons for teaching self-denial!
Besides, the daughter of Levi is no favorer of polygamy,
nor any other of our sex's privileges. I
spoke in pluralities, Signore, because the Rialto has
some stake in this marriage, as well as the house of
Gradenigo.”

“I understand thee. Thou hast fears for thy
gold?”

“Had I been easily alarmed, Signor Giacomo, in
that particular, I might not have parted with it so
readily. But, though the succession of thy illustrious
father will be ample to meet any loan within
my humble means, that of the late Signor Tieopolo
will not weaken the security.”

“I admit thy sagacity, and feel the importance
of thy warning. But it seems to have no other
object, or warranty, than thy own fears.”

[figure description] Page 081.[end figure description]

“With certain obscure hints from your honored
father, Signore.”

“Did he say more to the point?”

“He spoke in parables, young noble, but having
an oriental ear, his words were not uttered to the
wind. That the rich damsel is about to be conveyed
from Venice am I certain, and for the benefit of
the little stake I have myself in her movements, I
would give the best turquoise in my shop to know
whither.”

“Canst thou say with certainty, 'twill be this
night.”

“Giving no pledge for redemption in the event
of mistake, I am so sure, young cavalier, as to
have many unquiet thoughts.”

“Enough—I will look to my own interests, and
to thine.”

Jacopo waved his hand in adieu, and pursued his
walk up the piazza.

“Had I looked more sharply to the latter, as became
one accustomed to deal with the accursed
race,” muttered the Hebrew, “it would be a matter
of no concern to me if the girl married a Turk!”

“Hosea,” said a mask at his ear; “a word with
thee, in secret.”

The jeweller started, and found that, in his zeal,
he had suffered one to approach within sound of his
voice unseen. The other was in a domino also, and
so well enveloped as to be effectually concealed.

“What would'st thou, Signor Mask?” demanded
the wary Jew.

“A word in friendship and in confidence.—Thou
hast moneys to lend at usury?”

“The question had better be put to the republic's
treasury! I have many stones, valued much below
their weight, and would be glad to put them, with
some one more lucky than myself, who will be able
to keep them.”

[figure description] Page 082.[end figure description]

“Nay, this will not suffice—thou art known to be
abounding in sequins; one of thy race and riches
will never refuse a sure loan, with securities as
certain as the laws of Venice. A thousand ducats
in thy willing hand is no novelty.”

“They who call me rich, Signor Mask, are pleased
to joke with the unhappy child of a luckless
race. That I might have been above want—nay,
that I am not downright needy, may be true; but
when they speak of a thousand ducats, they speak
of affairs too weighty for my burthened shoulders.
Were it your pleasure to purchase an amethyst, or
a ruby, gallant Signore, there might possibly be
dealings between us?”

“I have need of gold, old man, and can spare
thee jewels myself, at need. My wants are urgent,
at this moment, and I have little time to lose in
words—name thy conditions.”

“One should have good securities, Signore, to be
so peremptory in a matter of money.”

“Thou hast heard that the laws of Venice are
not more certain. A thousand sequins, and that
quickly. Thou shalt settle the usury with thine own
conscience.”

Hosea thought that this was giving ample room
to the treaty, and he began to listen more seriously.

“Signore,” he said, “a thousand ducats are not
picked up at pleasure, from the pavement of the
great square. He who would lend them, must first
earn them with long and patient toil; and he who
would borrow—”

“Waits at thy elbow.”

“Should have a name and countenance well
known on the Rialto.”

“Thou lendest on sufficient pledges to masks,
careful Hosea, or fame belies thy generosity.”

“A sufficient pledge gives me power to see the
way clearly, though the borrower should be as

[figure description] Page 083.[end figure description]

much hidden as those up above. But here is none
forthcoming. Come to me to-morrow, masked or
not, as may suit your own pleasure, for I have no
impertinent desire to pry into any man's secrets,
beyond what a regard to my own interests requires,
and I will look into my coffers; though those of no
heir-apparent in Venice can be emptier.”

“My necessities are too urgent to brook delay.
Hast thou the gold, on condition of naming thine
own usury?”

“With sufficient pledges in stones of price, I
might rake together the sum, among our dispersed
people, Signore. But he who goes on the island to
borrow, as I shall be obliged to do, should be able
to satisfy all doubts concerning the payment.”

“The gold can then be had—on that point I may
be easy?”

Hosea hesitated, for he had in vain endeavored
to penetrate the other's disguise, and while he
thought his assurance a favorable omen, with a
lender's instinct he disliked his impatience.

“I have said, by the friendly aid of our people;”
he answered, with caution.

“This uncertainty will not answer my need. Addio,
Hosea,—I must seek elsewhere.”

“Signore, you could not be more hurried were
the money to pay the cost of your nuptials. Could
I find Isaac and Aaron within, at this late hour, I
think I might be safe in saying, that part of the
money might be had.”

“I cannot trust to this chance.”

“Nay, Signore, the chance is but small, since
Aaron is bed-ridden, and Isaac never fails to look
into his affairs, after the toil of the day is ended.
The honest Hebrew finds sufficient recreation in the
employment, though I marvel at his satisfaction,
since nothing but losses have come over our people
the year past!”

[figure description] Page 084.[end figure description]

“I tell thee, Jew, no doubt must hang over the
negotiation. The money, with pledges, and thine
own conscience for arbiter between us; but no equivocal
dealings, to be followed by a disappointment,
under the pretence that second parties are not
satisfied.”

“Just Daniel! to oblige you, Signore, I think I
may venture!—The well-known Hebrew, Levi of
Livorno, has left with me a sack, containing the very
sum of which there is question, and, under the conditions
named, I will convert it to my uses, and repay
the good jeweller his gold, with moneys of my
own, at a later day.”

“I thank thee for the fact, Hosea;” said the other,
partially removing his mask, but as instantly replacing
it. “It will greatly shorten our negotiations.
Thou hast not that sack of the Jew of Livorno beneath
thy domino?”

Hosea was speechless. The removal of the mask
had taught him two material facts. He had been
communicating his distrust of the Senate's intentions,
concerning Donna Violetta, to an unknown
person, and, possibly, to an agent of the police; and
he had just deprived himself of the only argument
he had ever found available, in refusing the attempts
of Giacomo Gradenigo to borrow, by admitting to
that very individual, that he had in his power the
precise sum required.

“I trust the face of an old customer is not likely
to defeat our bargain, Hosea?” demanded the profligate
heir of the senator, scarce concealing the irony
in which the question was put.

“Father Abraham! Had I known it had been
you, Signor Giacomo, we might have greatly shortened
the treaty.”

“By denying that thou hadst the money, as thou
hast so often done of late!”

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