Perceiving, however, that the other
wished to lead him to a part of the square that was vacant, and which
was directly on the course he was about to pursue, the Bravo made a
gesture of compliance and followed. No sooner were the two apart from
the pressure of the crowd, and in a place where no eaves-dropper could
overhear their discourse without detection, than the stranger stopped.
He appeared to examine the person, stature, and dress of Jacopo, from
beneath his mask, with singular caution, closing the whole with a sign
that meant recognition. Jacopo returned his dumb show, but maintained a
rigid silence.
"Just Daniel!" muttered the stranger, when he found that his companion
was not disposed to speak; "one would think, illustrious Signore, that
your confessor had imposed a penance of silence, by the manner in which
you refuse to speak to your servant."
"What would'st thou?"
"Here am I, sent into the piazza, among knights of industry, valets,
gondoliers, and all other manner of revellers that adorn this Christian
land, in search of the heir of one of the most ancient and honorable
houses of Venice."
"How knowest thou I am he thou seekest?"
"Signore, there are many signs seen by a wise man, that escape the
unobservant. When young cavaliers have a taste for mingling with the
people in honorable disguise, as in the case of a certain patrician of
this Republic, they are to be known by their air, if not by their
voices.
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