Mark, and of the senate's tyranny?"
"Signore, no. I went away sad and heart-broken, for I had not thought
the Doge and nobles would have refused a successful gondolier so light a
boon."
"And this thou didst not hesitate to proclaim among the fishermen and
idlers of the Lido?"
"Eccellenza, it was not needed--my fellows knew my unhappiness, and
tongues were not wanting to tell the worst."
"There was a tumult, with thee at its head, and sedition was uttered,
with much vain-boasting of what the fleet of the Lagunes could perform
against the fleet of the Republic."
"There is little difference, Signore, between the two, except that the
men of the one go in gondolas with nets, and the men of the other are in
the galleys of the state. Why should brothers seek each other's blood?"
The movement among the judges was more manifest than ever. They
whispered together, and a paper containing a few lines rapidly written
in pencil, was put into the hands of the examining secretary.
"Thou didst address thy fellows, and spoke openly of thy fancied wrongs;
thou didst comment on the laws which require the services of the
citizens, when the Republic is compelled to send forth a fleet against
its enemies."
"It is not easy to be silent, Signore, when the heart is full."
"And there was a consultation among thee of coming to the palace in a
body, and of asking the discharge of thy grandson from the Doge, in the
name of the rabble of the Lido.
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