"It may not be known to one of your high condition, sovereign prince,"
resumed the Carmelite, "that an humble but laborious mechanic of this
city, a certain Francesco Frontoni, was long since condemned for frauds
against the Republic's revenue. This is a crime St. Mark never fails to
visit with his heavy displeasure, for when men place the goods of the
world before all other considerations, they mistake the objects which
have brought them together in social union."
"Father, thou wert speaking of a certain Francesco Frontoni?"
"Highness, such was his name. The unhappy man had taken into his
confidence and friendship, one who, pretending to his daughter's love,
might appear to be the master of his secrets. When this false suitor
stood on the verge of detection, for offences against the customs, he
laid a snare of deception, which, while he was permitted to escape, drew
the anger of the state on his too confiding friend. Francesco was
condemned to the cells, until he might reveal facts which never had an
existence."
"This is a hard fate, reverend friar, could it be but proved!"
"'Tis the evil of secresy and intrigue, great Doge, in managing the
common interests!--"
"Hast thou more of this Francesco, monk?"
"His history is short, Signore; for at the age when most men are active
in looking to their welfare, he was pining in a prison."
"I remember to have heard of some such accusation; but it occurred in
the reign of the last Doge, did it not, father?"
"And he has endured to near the close of the reign of this, Highness!"
"How? The Senate, when apprised of the error of its judgment, was not
slow to repair the wrong!"
The monk regarded the prince earnestly, as if he would make certain
whether the surprise he witnessed was not a piece of consummate acting.
Pages:
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526