The avoided, but
still tolerated Bravo descended to his gondola, and the usual signals
were given to the multitude beneath, who believed the customary
ceremonies were ended.
"Let the gondolier of Don Camillo Monforte stand forth," cried a herald,
obedient to the beck of a superior.
"Highness, here," answered Gino, troubled and hurried.
"Thou art of Calabria?"
"Highness, yes."
"But of long practice on our Venetian canals or thy gondola could never
have outstripped those of the readiest oarsmen. Thou servest a noble
master?"
"Highness, yes."
"And it would seem that the Duke of St. Agata is happy in the possession
of an honest and faithful follower?"
"Highness, too happy."
"Kneel, and receive the reward of thy resolution and skill."
Gino, unlike those who had preceded him, bent a willing knee to the
deck, and took the prize with a low and humble inclination of the body.
At this moment the attention of the spectators was drawn from the short
and simple ceremony by a loud shout, which arose from the water at no
great distance from the privileged bark of the senate. A common movement
drew all to the side of the galley, and the successful gondolier was
quickly forgotten.
A hundred boats were moving in a body towards the Lido, while the space
they covered on the water presented one compact mass of the red caps of
fishermen. In the midst of this marine picture was seen the bare head of
Antonio, borne along in the floating multitude, without any effort of
his own.
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