"Holy Virgin!" exclaimed Memmo, "I am afraid that--"
"Be silent, signor!" interrupted Contarino, sternly; "there is
nothing to be afraid of."
"Illustrious Venetians!"--it was thus that Flodoardo broke silence,
and he spoke with the commanding tone of a hero--"I conclude that
his Highness has already made known to you the object of your being
thus assembled. I come to put an end to your anxiety; but first,
noble Andreas, I must once more receive the assurance that Rosabella
of Corfu shall become my bride, provided I deliver into your power
the bravo Abellino."
Andreas (examining his countenance with extreme anxiety).--
Flodoardo, have you succeeded? Is Abellino your prisoner?
Flodoardo.--If Abellino is my prisoner, shall Rosabella be my bride?
Andreas.--Bring me Abellino, alive or dead, and she is yours. I
swear it beyond the power of retracting, and also that her dowry
shall be royal!
Flodoardo.--Illustrious Venetians, ye have heard the Doge's oath?
All.--We are your witnesses.
Flodoardo (advancing a few paces with a bold air, and speaking in a
firm voice).--Well, then, Abellino is in my power--is in YOURS.
All (in confusion and a kind of uproar).--In ours? Merciful heaven!
Where is he? Abellino!
Andreas.--Is he dead or living?
Flodoardo.--He still lives.
Gonzaga (hastily).--He lives?
Flodoardo (bowing to the Cardinal respectfully).--He still lives,
signor.
Rosabella (pressing Camilla to her bosom). Didst thou hear that,
Camilla? Didst thou hear it? The villain still lives. Not one
drop of blood has stained the innocent hand of Flodoardo.
The Senator Vitalba.--Signor Contarino, I have won a thousand
sequins of you.
Contarino.--So it should seem, signor.
Andreas.--My son, you have bound the Republic to you for ever, and I
rejoice that it is to Flodoardo that she is indebted for a service
so essential.
Vitalba.--And permit me, noble Florentine, to thank you for this
heroic act in the name of the Senate of Venice. Our first care
shall be to seek out a reward proportioned to your merits.
Flodoardo (extending his arms towards Rosabella, with a melancholy
air).--There stands the only reward for which I wish.
Andreas (joyfully).--And that reward is your own. But where have
you left the bloodhound? Conduct him hither, my son, and let me
look at him once more. When I last saw him, he had the insolence to
tell me, "Doge, I am your equal. This narrow chamber now holds the
two greatest men in Venice." Now, then, let me see how this other
great man looks in captivity.