Two or three Senators.--Where is he? Bring him hither.
Several of the ladies screamed at hearing this proposal. "For
heaven's sake," cried they, "keep the monster away from us! I 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. Abellino shall do
you no harm; but he needs must come hither to claim THE BRAVO'S
BRIDE." And he pointed to Rosabella.
"Oh, my best friend," she answered, "how shall I express my thanks
to you for having thus put an end to my terrors? I shall tremble no
more at hearing Abellino named. Rosabella shall now be called the
Bravo's Bride no longer."
Falieri.--Is Abellino already in this palace?
Flodoardo.--He is.
Vitalba.--Then why do you not produce him? Why do you trifle so
long with our impatience?
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. Abellino'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 conspirators, while expecting
Abellino'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 groups, 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 background, and a dead and awful
silence prevailed through the assembly, scarcely interrupted by a
single breath.
"And now, then," said Flodoardo, "prepare yourselves, for this
terrible Abellino shall immediately appear before you. Do not
tremble; he shall do no one harm."
With these words he turned away from the company, advanced towards
the folding-doors. He paused for a few moments, and concealed his
face in his cloak.
"Abellino!" cried he at length, raising his head, and extending his
arm towards the door. At that name all who heard it shuddered
involuntarily, and Rosabella advanced unconsciously a few steps
towards her lover. She trembled more for Flodoardo than herself.
"Abellino!" 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.