"
"St. Mark fears not the truth! If he has more to say, let him declare
it."
But the excited Antonio began to reflect. The flush which had ascended
to his weather-beaten cheek disappeared, and his naked breast ceased to
heave. He stood like one rebuked, more by his discretion than his
conscience, with a calmer eye, and a face that exhibited the composure
of his years, and the respect of his condition.
"If I have offended, great patricians," he said, more mildly, "I pray
you to forget the zeal of an ignorant old man, whose feelings are master
of his breeding, and who knows less how to render the truth agreeable to
noble ears, than to utter it."
"Thou mayest depart."
The armed attendants advanced, and obedient to a sign from the
secretary, they led Antonio and his companion through the door by which
they had entered. The other officials of the place followed, and the
secret judges were left by themselves in the chamber of doom.
CHAPTER XIII.
"Oh! the days that we have seen."
SHELTON.
A pause like that which accompanies self-contemplation, and perhaps
conscious distrust of purpose, succeeded. Then the Three arose together,
and began to lay aside the instruments of their disguise. When the masks
were removed, they exposed the grave visages of men in the decline of
life, athwart which worldly cares and worldly passions had drawn those
deep lines, which no subsequent ease or resignation can erase.
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