'Twill be heating the fancy of the girl with hopes and
pity. Dost thou accept the terms, Jacopo?"
"I do."
"Then row to the Lido. Among the graves of Hosea's people--why dost thou
pull at my skirts, Jew! would'st thou hope to deceive a man of this
character with a flimsy lie--among the graves of Hosea's people thou
wilt meet Don Camillo within the hour. He is deluded by a pretended
letter from the lady of our common pursuit, and will be alone, in the
hopes of flight; I trust to thee to hasten the latter, so far as the
Neapolitan is concerned. Dost take my meaning?"
"Signore, it is plain."
"'Tis enough. Thou knowest me, and can take the steps necessary for thy
reward as thou shalt serve me. Hosea, our affair is ended."
Giacomo Gradenigo made a sign for his gondola to approach, and dropping
a sack which contained the retainer in this bloody business, he passed
into it with the indifference of one who had been accustomed to consider
such means of attaining his object lawful. Not so Hosea: he was a rogue
rather than a villain. The preservation of his money, with the
temptation of a large sum which had been promised him by both father and
son in the event of the latter's success with Violetta, were
irresistible temptations to one who had lived contemned by those around
him, and he found his solace for the ruthless attempt in the acquisition
of those means of enjoyment which are sought equally by Christian and
Jew.
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