The Bravo of Venice - A Romance - Page 83/84

"To the scaffold!" exclaimed at once the Doge, the senators, and the

whole crowd of nobility; and every one burst into enthusiastic

praises of the dauntless Neapolitan.

"Oh, Abellino," exclaimed Andreas, while he wiped away a tear, "I

would gladly give my ducal bonnet to be such a bravo as thou hast

been. 'Doge,' did thou once say to me, 'thou and I are the two

greatest men in Venice,' but oh, how much greater is the bravo than

the Doge! Rosabella is that jewel, than which I have nothing in the

world more precious; Rosabella is dearer to me than an emperor's

crown; Rosabella is thine."

"Abellino," said Rosabella, and extended her hand to the handsome

Bravo.

"Triumph!" cried he, "Rosabella is the Bravo's Bride," and he

clasped the blushing maid to his bosom.