Abellino nodded to him with an air of familiar protection, and
graciously condescended to grin upon him with a kind of half-
friendly smile.
"Abellino," said the Doge, at length, endeavouring to recollect
himself, "thou art a fearful--a detestable man."
"Fearful?" answered the bravo; "dost thou think me so? Good, that
glads me to the very heart! Detestable? that may be so, or it may
not. I confess, the sign which I hang out gives no great promise of
good entertainment within; but yet, Andreas, one thing is certain.
You and I stand on the same line, for at this moment we are the two
greatest men in Venice; you in your way, I in mine."
The Doge could not help smiling at the bravo's familiar tone.
"Nay, nay," continued Abellino, "no smiles of disbelief, if you
please. Allow me, though a bravo, to compare myself to a Doge;
truly, I think there's no great presumption in placing myself on a
level with a man whom I hold in my power, and who therefore is in
fact beneath me."
The Doge made a movement, as he would have left him.
"Not so fast," said Abellino, laughing rudely, and he barred the
Doge's passage. "Accident seldom unites in so small a space as this
chamber a pair of such great men. Stay where you are, for I have
not done with you yet; we must have a little conversation."
"Hear me, Abellino," said the Doge, mustering up all the dignity
which he possessed; "thou hast received great talents from Nature:
why dost thou employ them to so little advantage? I here promise
you, on my most sacred word, pardon for the past, and protection for
the future, will you but name to me the villain who bribed you to
assassinate Conari, abjure your bloody trade, and accept an honest
employment in the service of the Republic. If this offer is
rejected, at least quit with all speed the territory of Venice, or I
swear--"
"Ho! ho!" interrupted Abellino; "pardon and protection, say you? It
is long since I thought it worth my while to care for such trifles.
Abellino is able to protect himself without foreign aid; and, as to
pardon, mortals cannot give absolution for sins like mine. On that
day, when all men must give in the list of their offences, then,
too, will I give in mine, but till then never. You would know the
name of him who bribed me to be Conari's murderer? Well, well, you
shall know it, but not to-day. I must quit with all speed the
Venetian territory? and wherefore; through fear of thee? Ho! ho!
Through fear of Venice? Ha, Abellino fears not Venice; 'tis Venice
that fears Abellino! You would have me abjure my profession? Well,
Andreas, there is one condition, which, perhaps--"