"
Jacopo raised his form to such an altitude as one might fancy to express
the mounting of a liberated spirit. Still his eye was sad, and, spite of
an effort to the contrary, his voice melancholy.
"Senators," he said, "your prisoner beneath the leads is free."
"How! thou art trifling, in thy despair!"
"I speak truth. The liberation, so long delayed, hath come at last."
"Thy father----"
"Is dead," interrupted Jacopo, solemnly.
The two elder members of the Council looked at each other in surprise,
while their junior colleague listened with the interest of one who was
just entering on a noviciate of secret and embarrassing duties. The
former consulted together, and then they communicated as much of their
opinions to the Signor Soranzo, as they deemed necessary to the
occasion.
"Wilt thou consult thine own safety, Jacopo, and reveal all thou knowest
of this affair of the Neapolitan?" continued the inquisitor, when this
by-play was ended.
Jacopo betrayed no weakness at the menace implied by the words of the
senator; but, after a moment's reflection, he answered writh as much
frankness as he could have used at the confessional.
"It is known to you, illustrious senator," he said, "that the state had
a desire to match the heiress of Tiepolo, to its own advantage; that she
was beloved of the Neapolitan noble; and that, as is wont between young
and virtuous hearts, she returned his love as became a maiden of her
high condition and tender years.
Pages:
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495