"Name it," cried the Doge, eagerly; "will ten thousand sequins
purchase your departure from the Republic?"
"I would gladly give you twice as much myself, could you recall the
insult of offering Abellino 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?"
"Name what sum will 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
you, 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-and-twenty hours shall Manfrone
and Lomellino be food for fishes. Abellino 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 confused
by the unexpected explosion, Andreas started back, and sunk
bewildered on a neighbouring sofa. He soon recovered from his
astonishment. He sprang from his seat to summon his guards and
seize Abellino; but Abellino had already disappeared.
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 profusion, 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 either of 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 wide, and Abellino stood
before them.
"Wine, there!" cried he; "the work is done. Manfrone and Lomellino
are at supper with the worms. And I have thrown the Doge himself
into such a fit of terror that I warrant he will not recover himself
easily. Now answer are you content with me, you bloodhounds?"