Parozzi, Memmo, Contarino, Falieri, the chiefs of this desperate
undertaking, now assembled frequently in the Cardinal Gonzaga's
palace, where different plans for altering the constitution of
Venice were brought forward and discussed. But in all different
schemes it was evident that the proposer was solely actuated by
considerations of private interest. The object of one was to get
free from the burden of enormous debts; another was willing to
sacrifice everything to gratify his inordinate ambition. The
cupidity of THIS man was excited by the treasures of Andreas and his
friends; while THAT was actuated by resentment of some fancied
offence, a resentment which could only be quenched with the
offender's blood.
These execrable wretches, who aimed at nothing less than the total
overthrow of Venice, or at least of her government, looked towards
the completion of their extravagant hopes with the greater
confidence, since a new but necessary addition to the already
existing taxes had put the Venetian populace out of humour with
their rulers.
Rich enough, both in adherents and in wealth, to realise their
projects, rich enough in bold, shrewd, desperate men, whose minds
were well adapted to the contrivance and execution of revolutionary
projects, they now looked down with contempt upon the good old Doge,
who as yet entertained no suspicion of their nocturnal meetings.
Still did they not dare to carry their projects into effect, till
some principal persons in the State should be prevented by DEATH
from throwing obstacles in their way. For the accomplishment of
this part of their plan they relied on the daggers of the banditti.
Dreadful therefore was the sound in their ears, when the bell gave
the signal for execution, and they saw their best-founded hopes
expire on the scaffold, which supported the headless trunks of the
four bravoes. But if their consternation was great at thus losing
the destined instruments of their designs, how extravagant was their
joy when the proud Abellino dared openly to declare to Venice that
he still inhabited the Republic, and that he still wore a dagger at
the disposal of Vice.
"This desperado is the very man for us!" they exclaimed unanimously,
and in rapture; and now their most ardent wish was to enroll
Abellino in their services.
Their object was soon attained--they sought the daring ruffian, and
he suffered himself to be found. He visited their meetings, but in
his promises and demands he was equally extravagant.
The first and most earnest wish of the whole conspiracy was the
death of Conari, the Procurator, a man whom the Doge valued beyond
all others, a man whose eagle eyes made the conspirators hourly
tremble for their secret, and whose service the Doge had accepted,
in preference to those of the Cardinal Gonzaga. But the sum which
Abellino demanded for the murder of this one man was enormous.