Do but regard the soft
lustre in this light, noble Signore, and remark the pleasing colors that
rise by the change of view!"
"Ay--'tis well--but who claimeth the bearings?"
"It is wonderful to contemplate how great a value may lie concealed in
so small a compass! I have known sequins of full weight and heavy amount
given for baubles less precious."
"Wilt thou never forget thy stall and the wayfarers of the Rialto? I
bid thee name him who beareth these symbols as marks of his family and
rank."
"Noble Signore, I obey. The crest is of the family of Monforte, the last
senator of which died some fifteen years since."
"And his jewels?"
"They have passed with other movables of which the state taketh no
account, into the keeping of his kinsman and successor--if it be the
senate's pleasure that there shall be a successor to that ancient
name--Don Camillo of St. Agata. The wealthy Neapolitan who now urges his
rights here in Venice, is the present owner of this precious stone."
"Give me the ring; this must be looked to--hast thou more to say?"
"Nothing, Signore--unless to petition, if there is to be any
condemnation and sale of the jewel, that it may first be offered to an
ancient servitor of the Republic, who hath much reason to regret that
his age hath been less prosperous than his youth."
"Thou shalt not be forgotten. I hear it said, Hosea, that divers of our
young nobles frequent thy Hebrew shops with intent to borrow gold,
which, lavished in present prodigality, is to be bitterly repaid at a
later day by self-denial, and such embarrassments as suit not the heirs
of noble names.
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