"
"Most true, in all that does not offend St. Mark. But here is a concert
worthy of inquiry: I command thee, unmask."
The waterman, reading in every face around him the necessity of
obedience, slowly withdrew the means of concealment, and discovered the
pallid countenance and glittering eyes of Jacopo. An involuntary
movement of all near, left this dreaded person standing singly,
confronted with the Prince of Venice, in a wide circle of wondering and
curious listeners.
"I know thee not!" exclaimed the Doge, with an open amazement that
proved his sincerity, after regarding the other earnestly for a moment.
"Thy reasons for the disguise should be better than thy reasons for
refusing the prize."
The Signor Gradenigo drew near to the sovereign, and whispered in his
ear. When he had done, the latter cast one look, in which curiosity and
aversion were in singular union, at the marked countenance of the Bravo,
and then he silently motioned to him to depart. The throng drew about
the royal person with instinctive readiness, closing the space in his
front.
"We shall look into this at our leisure," said the Doge. "Let the
festivities proceed."
Jacopo bowed low, and withdrew. As he moved along the deck of the
Bucentaur, the senators made way, as if pestilence was in his path,
though it was quite apparent, by the expression of their faces, that it
was in obedience to a feeling of a mixed character.
Pages:
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186