⚫ THE boat swung from the pebbled shore' O'er the calm lake's trackless blue, One form alone it lightly bore, One heart to love and duty true. His trusty blade and rifle graced A form that Hercules might not scornHis forage cap, deck'd for the chase, Bespoke the hunter mountain born. The village glimmering spires that shone Like silver through the forest trees, Had in the distance dimly grown, And still the frail bark wooed the breeze. Nor paused it 'mid the deepened shade, The mountain ash its foliage spread, And bent beneath the soft wind's play, Its crimson'd berries o'er his head Hung dripping in the scattered spray. The cooling shade might well invite From the wearied hunter some delay, If one was waked, 'twas quick suppressed, The surge was past, the torrent's roar Was moor'd along the stranded shore. Up sprung a savage, whose dark eye Rage sparkled in the hunter's eye, The savage gave one deadly yell, One whoop that pass'd unanswered by, Then slowly tottered-gasped-and fell! With stealthy steps and trusty blade The mountain hunter onward roamed, Nor paused till 'mid the gathering shade He reached the Indian's rude built home. The savage bolts he gently drew With trembling hands and cautious care, And timid hope, for well he knew His Lelia was a captive there. For the Rural Repository. The night is dark-the gloom profound, Our cheerful fire surrounding, Tho' the tempest still is sounding. The storms may rage-the winds may blow Around our peaceful dwelling, But still our comforts do not cease, Tho' the tempest still is swelling. Yet here secure, while the raging winds The Bride. THEY brought me to another land, Across the ocean wide, OSMAR. To dwell with strangers, and to be I could but weep to see how ill I tread their fairy halls at night, I meet with thrilling looks that make But yet I feel, my heart would give So proudly by the shore; I lov'd, upon the dark green rock, And think thy voice was whispering me, Yet sometimes, in my dreams, I view High ruins, lone and dark; And sometimes I am on the sea Within my own lov'd bark, Once more I twine around my brow, Song of the Grecian Amazon. That paws the ground and neighs to go. And wash away the blood stain there. I kept its bloom, and he is dead. But they who slew him, unaware Of coward murderers lurking nigh, And left him to the fowls of air, Are yet alive and they must die. I touched the lute in bitter days, LITERARY PREMIUMS. 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Abællino, the Bravo of Venice. CHAPTER XIV. The Assassin. SCARCELY had she reached her chamber, ere Rosabella repented her having acted so courageously. It was cruel in her, she thought, to have given him so harsh an answer! She recollected with what hopeless and melancholy looks the poor thunder-struck youth had followed her steps as she turned to leave him. She fancied that she saw him stretched despairing on the earth, his hair disheveled, his eyes filled with tears. She heard him term her the murderess of his repose, pray for death as his only refuge, and she saw him with every moment approach towards the attainment of his prayer, through the tears which he shed on her account. Already she heard those dreadful words-Flodoardo is no more!'-Already she saw the sympathising multitude weep round the tomb of him, whom ali the virtuous loved, and whom the wicked dreaded; whom all his friends adored, and whom even his enemies admired. Alas! alas!' cried she, this was but a wretched attempt to play the heroine; already does my resolution fail me. Ah! Flodoardo, I meant not what I said! I love you, love you now, and must love you always though Camilla may chide, and though my good uncle may hate me.' In a few days after this interview, she understood that an extraordinary alteration had taken place in Flodoardo's manner and appearance; that he had withdrawn himself from all general society; and that when the solicitations of his intimate friends compelled him to appear in their circle, his spirits seemed evidently depressed by the weight of an unconquerable melancholy. This intelligence was like the stroke of a poignard to the feeling heart of Rosabella. She fled for shelter to the solitude of her chamber, there indulged her feelings without restraint, and lamented with showers of repentant tears, her harsh treatment of Flodo ardo. HUDSON, N. Y. SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1834. to be seen in it no longer; and that he devoted himself in solitude to the indulgence of a passion, which he had vainly endeavored to subdue; and which, in the impetuosity of its course, had already swallowed up every other wish, and every other sentiment. But let us for a moment turn from the sick chamber of Rosabella, and visit the dwellings of the conspirators, who were now advancing with rapid strides towards the execution of their plans; and who, with every hour that passed over their heads, became more numerous, more powerful and more dangerous to Andreas and his beloved republic. Parózzi, Memmo, Coutarino, and Falieri (the chiefs of this desperate undertaking) now assembled frequently in the Cardinal Gonzaga's palace, where the different plans for altering the constitution of Venice were brought forward and discussed. But in all these different schemes it was evident that the proposer was solely actuated by consid erations of private interest. The object of one was to get free from the burthen of enormous debts; another was willing to sacrifice every thing to gratify his inordinate ambition; the cupidity of this man was excited by the treasures of Andreas and his friends; while that was actuated by resentment of some fancied offence, a resentment which could only be quenched with the offender's blood. These execrable wretches, who aimed at nothing less than the total overthrow of Venice, or at least of her government, looked towards the completion of their extravagant hopes with the greater confidence, since a new but necessary addition to the already existing taxes had put the Venetian populace out of humor with their rulers. Rich enough, both in adherents and in wealth, to realize their fearful projects; rich enough in bold, shrewd, desperate men, whose minds were well adapted to the contrivance and execution of revolutionary projects; they now looked down with contempt upon the good old Doge, who as yet discovered no suspicion of the object of their nocturnal meetings. Still did they not dare to carry their proThe grief which preyed in secret on her jects into effect till some principal persons soul, soon undermined her health. No one in the state should be prevented by death could relieve her sufferings, for no one knew from throwing obstacles in their way. For the cause of her melancholy, or the origin of the accomplishment of this part of their plan her illness. No wonder then that Rosabella's they relied on the daggers of the banditti. situation at length excited the most bitter Dreadful, therefore was the sound in their anxiety in the bosom of her venerable uncle. cars when the bell gave the signal for execuNo wonder, too, that Flodoardo entirely tion, and they saw their best founded hopes withdrew himself from a world which was expire on the scaffold which supported the become odious to him, since Rosabella was headless trunks of the four Bravos. But NO. 4. if their consternation was great at thus losing the destined instruments of their designs, how extravagant was their joy when the proud Abellino dared openly to declare to Venice, that he still inhabited the republic, and that he still wore a dagger at the disposal of Vice. This desperado is the very man for us!' they exclaimed unanimously, and in rapture; and now their most ardent wish was to enroll Abællino in their service. That object was soon attained-they sought the daring ruffian, and he suffered himself to be found. He visited their meetings, but in his promises and demands he was equally extravagant. The first and most earnest wish of the whole conspiracy was the death of Conari, the procurator; a man whom the Doge valued beyond all others; a man, whose eagle-eyes made the conspirators hourly tremble for their secret, and whose services the Doge had accepted, in preference to those of the Cardinal Gonzaga.-But the sum which Abællino demanded for the murder of this one man was enormous. Give me the reward which I require,' said he, and I promise, on the word of a man of honor, that after this night the procurator Conari shall give you no further trouble. Exalt him to heaven, or imprison him in hell, I'll engage to find and stab him.' What could they do? Abællino was not a man to be easily beat down in his demands. The Cardinal was impatient to attain the summit of his wishes; but his road lay straight over Conari's grave! Abællino received the sum demanded; the next day the venerable Conari, the Doge's best and dearest friend, the pride and safeguard of the republic, was no longer numbered among the living. "Tis a terrible fellow, this Abællino!' cried the conspirators when the news reached them, and celebrated the Procurator's death in triumph at the Cardinal's midnight feast. The Doge was almost distracted with terror and astonishment. He engaged to give ten thousand sequins to any one who should discover by whom Conari had been removed from the world. A proclamation to this effect was published at the corner of every street in Venice, and made known throughout the territories of the republic. A few days after this proclamation had been made, a paper was discovered affixed to the principal door of the Venetian Signoria. VENETIANS! You would fain know the author of Conari's death: to spare you inuch fruitless trouble, The two greatest Men in Venice. Ir must be superfluous to inform my readers that all Venice became furious at this new insolence. Within the memory of man had no one ever treated with such derision the celebrated Venetian police, or set the Doge's power at defiance with such proud temerity. This occurrence threw the whole. city into confusion: every one was on the look-out; the patroles were doubled; the sbirri extended their researches on all sides; yet no one could see or hear, or discover the most distant trace of Abællino. The priests in their sermons strove to rouse the slumbering vengeance of Heaven to crush this insolent offender, the ladies were ready to swoon at the very name of Abællino, for who could assure them that, at some unexpected moment, he might not pay them the same compliment which he had paid to Rosabella? as for the old women, they unanimously asserted, that Abellino had sold himself to the Prince of Darkness, by whose assistance he was enabled to sport with the patience of all pious Venetians, and deride the impotence of their just indignation. The cardinal and his associates were proud of their terrible confederate, and looked forward with confidence to the triumphant issue of their undertaking. The deserted family of Conari called down curses on his murderer's head, and wished that their tears might be turned into a sea of sulphur, in whose waves they might plunge the monster Abellino: nor did Conari's relations feel more grief for his loss than the Doge and his two confidants, who swore never to rest till they had discovered the lurking-place of the ruthless assassin, and had punished his crime with ten-fold vengeance. 4 'Fearful?' answered the Bravo: 'dost thou think me so good! that glads me to my very heart? detestable? that may be so, or it may not. I confess the sign which I bang out gives no great promise of good entertainment within; but yet, Andreas, one thing is certain. You and I stand on the same line, for at this moment we are the two greatest men in Venice; you in your way, I in mine.' The Doge could not help smiling at the Bravo's familiar tone. Name what sum can satisfy you, and it shall be yours this instant, so you will only relieve Venice from your presence. Though it should cost the republic a million she will be a gainer, if her air is no longer poisoned by your breath.' Indeed? why in fact a million is not so great a sum; for look ye, Andreas, I have just sold for near half a million, the lives of your two dear friends, Manfrone and Lomellino. Now give me Rosabella and I break the bargain.' Miscreant! has Heaven no lightnings.' You will not? mark me! in four-andtwenty hours shall Manfrone and Lomellino be food for fishes. Abællino has said it, away.' And with these words he drew a pistol from under his cloak, and flashed it in the Doge's face. Blinded by the powder, and Nay, nay!' continued Abællino; no confused by the unexpected explosion, Ansmiles of disbelief, if you please. Allow me, dreas started back, and sank bewildered on a though a Bravo, to compare myself to a neighboring sofa. He soon recovered from Doge; truly I think there's no great pre-his astonishment; he sprang from his seat sumption in placing myself on a level with a to summon his guards, and seize Abællino. man whom I hold in my power, and who But Abællino had already disappeared. therefore is in fact beneath me.' The Doge made a movement, as if he would have left him. 'Not so fast,' said Abællino, laughing rudely, and he barred the Doge's passage. Accident seldom unite in so small a space as this chamber a pair of such great men. Stay where you are, for I have not done with you yet: we must have a little conversation.' Hear me, Abællino said the Doge, mustering up all the dignity which he possessed; thou hast received great talents from Nature: why dost thou employ them to so little advantage? I here promise you, on my most sacred word, pardon for the past, and protection for the future, will you but name to me the villain who bribed you to assassinate Conari, abjure your bloody trade, and accept an honest employment in the service of the republic. If this offer is rejected, at least quit with all speed the territory of Venice, or I swear Ho! ho!' interrupted Abællino; pardon and protection, say you? it is long since I thought it worth my while to care for such Yet, after all,' said Andreas one evening, trifles. Abællino is able to protect himself as he sat alone in his private chamber, after without foreign aid; and as to pardon, all it must be confessed that this Abællino is mortals cannot give absolution for sins like a singular man. He who can do what Abel-nine. lino has done, must possess both such talents and such courage as (stood he at the head of an army) would enable him to conquer half the world. Would that I could once get a sight of him!' On that same evening were Parozzi and his confederates assembled in the palace of the Cardinal Gonzaga. The table was spread with the most luxurious provision, and they arranged over their flowing goblets plans for the republic's ruin. The Cardinal related how he had of late contrived to insinuate himself into the Doge's good graces, and had succeeded in impressing him with an opinion that the chiefs of the confederacy were fit men to hold offices of important trust.Contarino boasted that he doubted not before long to be appointed to the vacant Procuratorship. Parozzi reckoned for his share, upon Rosabella's hand, and the place of either Lomellino or Manfrone, when once those two chief obstacles to his hope should be removed. Such was the conversation in which they were engaged, when the clock struck twelve, the doors flew open, and Abellino stood before them. ་ Wine there!' cried he; the work is done. Manfrone and Lomellino are at supper with the worms.' All spring from their seats in rapture and astonishment. And I have thrown the Doge himself into such a fit of terror, that I warrant you he will not recover himself easily. Now answer; are you content with me, you blood hounds?' Next then for Flodoardo! shouted Pa ||rozzi. On that day when all men must give in the list of their offences, then too will I give in mine, but till then never. You would know the name of him who bribed me to be Conari's Flodoardo?' muttered Abællino between murderer? well, well; you shall know it- his teeth; hum! hum! that's not so easy.' 'Look up then!' roared Abællino, and but not to-day. I must quit with all speed clapped the Doge on the shoulder. Andreas the Venetian territory? and wherefore? started from his seat. A collossal figure through fear of thee? ho! ho! through fear stood before him, wrapt in a dark mantle, of Venice? Ha! Abællino fears not Venice; above which appeared a countenance so hide-'tis Venice that fears Abællino. You would ous and forbidding, that the universe could not have produced its equal. Who art thou?' staminered out the Doge. Thou seest me, and canst doubt? well then! I am Abællino, the good friend of your murdered Conari, and the republic's most submissive slave.' The brave Andreas, who had never trembled in fight by land or by sea, and for whom no danger had possessed terror sufficient to shake his undaunted resolution, the brave Andreas now forgot for a few moments his usual presence of mind. Speechless did he gaze on the daring assassin, who stood before have me abjure my profession? well, Andreas, Name it!' cried the Doge eagerly; will 'I would gladly give you twice as much myself, could you recall the insult of offering Abællino so miserable a bribe. No, Andreas, but one price can pay me give me your niece for my bride; I love Rosabella, the daughter of Guiscard of Corfu. Monster! what insolence? 'Ho! ho! patience, patience, good uncle that is to be! will you accept my terms?' CHAPTER XVI. ROSABELLA, the idol of all Venice, lay on the bed of sickness; a sorrow, whose cause was carefully concealed from every one, undermined her health, and destroyed the bloom of her beauty. She loved the noble Flodoardo; and who could have known Flodoardo and not have loved him? his majestic stature, his expressive countenance his enthusiastic glance, his whole being declared aloud-Flodoardo is nature's favorite! and Rosabella had been always a great admirer of nature. But if Rosabella was ill, Flodoardo was scarcely better. He confined himself to his own apartment; he shunned society, and frequently made long journies to different cities of the republic, in hopes of distracting his thoughts by change of place from that object, which, wherever he went, still pursued him. He had now been absent for three whole weeks. No one knew in what quarter he was wandering; and it was during this absence that the so long expected Prince of Monaldeschi arrived at Venice, to claim Rosabella as his bride. His appearance, to which a month before Andreas looked forward with such pleasing expectation, now afforded but little satisfaction to the Doge. Rosabella was too ill to receive her suitor's visits, and he did not allow her much time to recover her health; for six days after his arrival at Venice, the Prince was found murdered in a retired part of one of the public gardens. His sword lay by him unsheathed and bloody; his tablets were gone, but one leaf had been torn from them and fastened on his breast. It was examined, and found to contain the following lines apparently written in blood : Let no one pretend to Rosabella's hand who is not prepared to share the fate of Monaldeschi! the Bravo, ABELLINO. Oh! where shall I now fly for comfort! for protection!' exclaimed the Doge in despair, when this dreadful news was announced. Why, why is Flodoardo absent ?' Anxiously did he now desire the youth's return, to support him under the weight of these heavy misfortunes; nor was it long before that desire was gratified-Flodoardo returned. And you have quite forgiven my transgression?' Your transgression?' repeated Rosabella with a faint smile; 'yes; if it was a transgression, I have quite forgiven it. Dying people ought to pardon those who have trespassed against them, in order that they, in their turn, may be pardoned their trespasses against Heaven and I am dying; I feel it!' 'Signora !' Nay, 'tis past a doubt-It's true I have quitted my sick bed since yesterday; but I know well that I am soon to return to it, never to leave it more. And therefore therefore I now ask your pardon, Signor, for the vexation which I was obliged to cause to you the last time we met.' Flodoardo replied not. Will you not forgive me?—You must be very difficult to appease very revengeful!' Flodoardo fixed his eyes on her countenance with a melancholy smile—Rosabella extended her hand towards him Will you refuse my offered hand? Shall all be forgotten?' Forgotten, Lady, never! never!-Every word and look of yours is stamped on my memory, never to be effaced. I cannot forget a transaction in which you bore a part; I cannot forget the scene that passed between us, every circumstance is too precious and sacred. As to pardon. He took her extended hand, and pressed it respectfully to his lips-'I would to Heaven, dear Lady, that you had in truth injured me much, that I Welcome, noble youth,' said the Doge, might have much to forgive you-Alas! I when he saw the Florentine enter his apart-have at present nothing to pardon.' ment; you must not in future deprive me of your presence for so long. I am now a poor forsaken old man. You have heard that Lomellino-that Manfrone I know all melancholy air. 4 answered Flodoardo with a Satan has burst his chains, and now inhabits Venice under the name of Abællino, robbing me of all that my soul holds precious. Flodoardo, for heaven's love be cautious ; often, during your absence, have I trembled lest the miscreant's dagger should have deprived me too of you. I have much to say to you, my young friend, but I must defer it till the evening; a foreiguer of consequence has appointed this hour for an audience, and I must hasten to receive him. But in the evening Both were now silent; at length Rosabella resumed the conversation by saying- You have made a long absence from Venice; did you travel far.' That will soon be out of my power. Perhaps you can guess what are my present intentions.' To resume your travels soon?' Exactly so; and the next time that I quit Venice, to return to it no more.' He was interrupted by the appearance of No more she repeated eagerly; Oh! Rosabella, who, with tottering steps and pale not so, Flodoardo! Ah! can you leave me?' cheeks, advanced slowly into the apartinent. She stopped, ashamed of her imprudenceShe saw Flodoardo, and a faint blush over-Can you leave my uncle, I meant to say? spread her countenance, Flodoardo rose You do but jest, I doubt not.' from his seat, and welcomed her with an air of distant respect. 'Do not go yet,' said the Doge; 'perhaps| in half an hour I may be at liberty-In the mean while I leave you to entertain my poor Rosabella: she has been very ill during your absence, and I am still uneasy about her health. She kept her bed till yesterday, and truly I think she has left it too soon.' The venerable Doge quitted the apartment, and the lovers once more found themselves alone. Rosabella drew near the window; Flodoardo at length ventured to approach it also. By my honor, Lady, I never was more in Oh! this is mockery, Count, I have not deserved that you should sport with my feelings so cruelly.' 'It is to spare your feelings Signora, that I am now resolved to fly from Venice; my presence might cause you some uneasy moments. I am not the happy man whose sight is destined to give you pleasure; I will at least avoid giving you pain? And you really can resolve to abandon the Doge whose esteem for you is so sincere, whose friendship has always been so warm?' 'I value his friendship highly; but it is not sufficient to make me happy-and could he lay kingdoms at any feet, still would his friendship be insufficient to make me happy.' Does then your happiness require so much?' It does; much more than I have mentioned, infinitely more!-But one boon can make me happy-I have begged for it on my knees.' He caught her hand, and pressed it eagerly to his lips- I have begged for it, Rosabella,-and my suit has been rejected!' What would you of me?' She gazed upon him for a moment undecided, then hastily drew away her hand, and exclaimed- Leave me this moment, I command you! Leave me, for Heaven's sake!' Flodoardo clasped his hands together in despair and anguish-he bowed his head in token of obedience; he left her with slow steps and a melancholy air, and as he passed the threshold, turned to bid her farewell forever. Suddenly she rushed towards him, caught his hand, and pressed it to her heart. Flodoardo!' she cried, I am thine!' and sank motionless at his feet. A Dangerous Promise. AND now who was so blest as the fortunate Flodoardo? the victory was his own; he had heard the wished-for sentence pronounced by the lips of Rosabella. He raised her from the ground, and placed her on a sopha. Her blue eyes soon unclosed themselves once more, and the first object which they beheld was Flodoardo kneeling at her feet, while with one arm he encircled her waist. Her head sank upon the shoulder of the man for whom she had wept so many tears, for whom she had breathed so many sighs, who had occupied so many of her thoughts by day, who had been present in so many of her dreams by night. As they gazed in silent rapture on each other, they forgot that they were mortals; they seemed to be transported to a happier, better world. Rosabella thought that the chamber in which she sat was transformed into an earthly Paradise; invisible seraphs seemed to hallow by their protecting presence the indulgence of her innocent affections; and she poured forth her thanks to Him who had given her an heart susceptible of love, Through the whole course of man's existence, such a moment as this occurs but once, Happy is he who sighs for its arrival; happy is he who when it arrives has a soul worthy of its enjoyment; happy is even he for whom that moment has long been passed, so it passed not unenjoyed, for the recollection of it still is precious. Sage philosophers, in vain do you assure us that the raptures of a moment like this are mere illusions of a heated imagination, scarcely more solid than an enchanted dream, which fades before the Alas! does sunbeams of truth and reason. there exist an happiness under the moon which owes not its charm in some degree to the magic of imagination? You are dear to me, Flodoardo!' murmured Rosabella, for Camilla and her counsels were || quite forgotten; 'oh! you are very, very dear.' The youth only thanked her by clasping her still closer to his bosom, while, for the first time, he sealed her corallips with his own. At that moment the door was suddenly thrown open; the Doge Andreas re-entered the apartment; the expected stranger had been suddenly taken ill, and Andreas was no sooner at liberty than he hastened to rejoin his favorite. The rustling of his garments roused the lovers from their dreams of bliss. Rosabella started from Flodoardo's embrace with a cry of terror; Flodoardo quitted his kneeling posture, yet seemed by no means disconcerted at the discovery. Make your demands!' continued Flo- 'I know well,' interrupted Andreas, how doardo, still addressing himself to the Doge, difficult a task I enjoin, when I require the say what you wish me to do, and what you delivery of Abaællino. For myself I swear, would have me become, in order to obtain that I had rather a thousand times force my from you the hand of Rosabella. Ask what passage with a single vessel through the whole you will, I will look on the task, however Turkish fleet, and carry off the Admiral's difficult, as nothing more than sport and ship from the midst of them, than attempt to pastime. By Heaven, I would that Venice seize this Abællino, who seems to have were at this moment exposed to the most entered into a compact with Lucifer himself; eminent danger, and that ten thousand dag- who is to be found every where and no where; gers were unsheathed against your life; whom so many have seen, but whom no one Rosabella my reward, how certain should I knows; whose cautious subtlety has brought be to rescue Venice, and strike the ten to shame the vigilance of our state-inquisithousand daggers down.' tors, of the College of Ten, and of all their legion of spies and sbirri; whose very name strikes terror into the hearts of the bravest Venetians and from whose dagger I myself am not safe upon my throne !-I know well, Flodoardo, how much I proffer. You seem irresolute ?-You are silent-Flodoardo, I have long watched you with attention; I have discovered in you marks of a superior genius, and therefore I am induced to make such a demand. If any one is able to cope with Abællino, thou art the man-I wait your answer.' I have served the republic faithfully and fervently for many a long year,' answered Andreas with a bitter smile; I have risqued Andreas gazed upon them for some minutes, my life without hesitation; I have shed my with a look which expressed at once anger, blood with profusion! I asked nothing for melancholy, and the most heart-felt disap-my reward but to pass my old age in soft pointment. He sighed deeply, cast his eyes tranquillity, and of this reward have I been towards Heaven, and in silence turned to cheated. My bosom-friends, the companions leave the apartment. of my youth, the confidants of my age, have been torn from me by the daggers of banditti and you, Flodoardo, you on whom I heaped all favors, have now deprived me of this my only last remaining comfort-Auswer me, Rosabella; hast thou in truth bestowed thy heart on Flodoardo irrevocably? Stay yet one moment, noble Andreas,' cried the Florentine. The Doge turned, and Flodoardo threw himself at his feet. Andreas looked down with calm and serious dignity on the kneeling offender, by whom his friendship had been so unworthily rewarded, and by whom his confidence had been so cruelly betrayed. 'Young man,' said he in a stern voice, the attempt to excuse yourself must be fruitless.' 'Excuse myself!' interrupted Flodoardo boldly; no, niy Lord, I need no excuses for loving Rosabella; 'twere for him to excuse himself who had seen Rosabella, and not loved her yet if it is indeed a crime in me that I adore Rosabella-'tis a crime of which Heaven itself will absolve me, since it formed Rosabella so worthy to be adored.' 'You seem to lay too much stress on this fantastic apology,' answered the Doge contemptuously; at least, you cannot expect that it should have much weight with me.' I say it once more, my Lord,' resumed Flodoardo, while he rose from the ground, that I intend to make no apology. I mean not to excuse my love for Rosabella, but to request your approbation of that love-Andreas, I adore your niece; I demand her for my bride.' The doge started in astonishment at this bold and unexpected request. Flodoardo paced the chamber in silence. Dreadful was the enterprize proposed: woe to him should Abællino discover his purpose! But Rosabella was the reward! he cast a look on the beloved one, and resolved to risk every thing. He advanced towards the Doge. One hand of Rosabella's still rested on Andreas withdrew himself gently from Thus passed some minutes, an awful silence reigned through the chamber; Andreas seemed to be laboring with some resolution of dreadful importance. The lovers wished, yet dreaded, the conclusion of the scene, and with every moment their anxiety became more painful. Flodoardo.-Should I deliver Abællino into your power, do you solemnly swear that Rosabella shall be my bride? Andreas.-She shall! and not till then. Rosabella.-Ah! Flodoardo, I fear this undertaking will end fatally, Abællino is so crafty-so dreadful-Oh! look well to yourself, for should you meet with this 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 Abællino 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. 'It is true,' continued the Florentine, I am Flodoardo! at length said the Doge, and no more than a needy, unknown youth, and suddenly stood still in the middle of the Flodoardo grasped the Doge's hand in it seems a piece of strange temerity when chamber. Flodoardo advanced with a re-silence, and shook it thrice. He turned to such a man proposes himself to espouse the spectful air-' Young man,' he continued, I Rosabella, and seemed on the point of heiress of the Venetian Doge.-But, by am at length resolved; Rosabella loves you, addressing her, when he suddenly turned Heaven, I am confident that the great Andreas nor will I oppose the decision of her heart-away, struck his forehead, and measured the means not to bestow his Rosabella on one of but Rosabella is much too precious to admit apartment with disordered and unsteady steps. those whose claims to favor are overflowing of my bestowing her on the first who thinks The clock in the tower of St. Mark's church coffers, extensive territories, and sounding fit to demand her-the man to whom I give struck five. titles, or who vainly decorate their insig-her, must be worthy such a gift: she must nificance with the glory obtained by their be the reward of his services, nor can he do ancestors; glory of which they are themselves services so great that such a reward will not incapable of acquiring a single ray. acknowledge freely that I have as yet per- gratitude are as yet but trifling; an opporI overpay them. Your claims on the republic's formed no actions which make me deserving tunity now offers of rendering us an essential such a reward as Rosabella! but it shall not service-The murderer of Conari, Manfrone. be long ere I will perform such actions, or and Lomellino-Go, bring him hither!perish in the attempt.' Alive or dead, thou must bring to this palace the terrible banditti-king, Aballino! The Doge turned from him with a look of contempt. on which his happiness or despair depended, Oh! be not incensed with him, dear uncle!" said Rosabella: she hastened to detain the Doge, threw her white arms round his neck || his cheeks. fondly, and concealed in his bosom the tears with which her countenance was bedewed. My noble Lord' he said at length hesitating; you know well that-,' Time flies!' cried Flodoardo; no more delay then. In four and twenty hours will I produce in this very palace this dreadful bravo, Abællino.' 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 traces of the miscreant, and I trust that I of your palace-I have discovered some 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. |