"Father," he said, when a long and earnest look was ended, "there can be
little harm in speaking truth to one of thy holy office. They have told
thee there was a criminal here in the Lagunes, who hath provoked the
anger of St. Mark?"
"Thou art right."
"It is not easy to know when St. Mark is pleased, or when he is not,"
continued Antonio, plying his line with indifference, "for the very man
he now seeks has he long tolerated; aye, even in presence of the Doge.
The Senate hath its reasons which lie beyond the reach of the ignorant,
but it would have been better for the soul of the poor youth, and more
seemly for the Republic, had it turned a discouraging countenance on his
deeds from the first."
"Thou speakest of another! thou art not then the criminal they seek!"
"I am a sinner, like all born of woman, reverend Carmelite, but my hand
hath never held any other weapon than the good sword with which I struck
the infidel. There was one lately here, that, I grieve to add, cannot
say this!"
"And he is gone?"
"Father, you have your eyes, and you can answer that question for
yourself. He is gone; though he is not far; still is he beyond the reach
of the swiftest gondola in Venice, praised be St. Mark!"
The Carmelite bowed his head, where he was seated, and his lips moved,
either in prayer or in thanksgiving.
"Are you sorry, monk, that a sinner has escaped?"
"Son, I rejoice that this bitter office hath passed from me, while I
mourn that there should be a spirit so depraved as to require it.
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