But Annina is blameless for the
trade of her parents."
"No doubt--and that package? it hath been long in thy keeping."
"A month; Annina left it at her last visit, for she was hurried to cross
to the Lido. But why these questions? You do not like my cousin, who is
giddy, and given to idle conversation, but who, I think, must have a
good heart. Thou heard'st the manner in which she spoke of the wretched
bravo, Jacopo, and of this late murder?"
"I did."
"Thou could'st not have shown more horror at the monster's crime
thyself, Carlo. Nay, Annina is thoughtless, and she might be less
worldly; but she hath, like all of us, a holy aversion to sin. Shall I
lead thee to the cell?"
"Go on."
"Thy honest nature, Carlo, revolts at the cold villany of the assassin.
I have heard much of his murders, and of the manner in which those up
above bear with him. They say, in common, that his art surpasseth
theirs, and that the officers wait for proof, that they may not do
injustice."
"Is the Senate so tender, think you?" asked the Bravo, huskily, but
motioning for his companion to proceed.
The girl looked sad, like one who felt the force of this question; and
she turned away to open a private door, whence she brought forth a
little box.
"This is the key, Carlo," she said, showing him one of a massive bunch,
"and I am now the sole warder. This much, at least, we have effected;
the day may still come when we shall do more.
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