The Bravo of Venice - A Romance - Page 9/84

Scarcely were the bravoes seated, when Cinthia (for that was the

young woman's name) was again summoned to the door; and the company

was now increased by two new-comers, who examined their unknown

guest from head to foot.

"Now, then," cried one of these, who had conducted Abellino to this

respectable society, "let us see what you are like."

As he said this he raised a burning lamp from the table, and the

light of its flame was thrown full upon Abellino's countenance.

"Lord, forgive me my sins!" screamed Cinthia; "out upon him! what an

ugly hound it is!"

She turned hastily round, and hid her face with her hands. Dreadful

was the look with which Abellino repaid her compliment.

"Knave," said one of the banditti, "Nature's own hand has marked you

out for an assassin--come, prithee be frank, and tell us how thou

hast contrived so long to escape the gibbet? In what gaol didst

thou leave thy last fetters? Or from what galley hast thou taken

thy departure, without staying to say adieu?"

Abellino, folding his arms--"If I be such as you describe," said he,

with an air of authority, and in a voice which made his hearers

tremble, "'tis for me all the better. Whate'er may be my future

mode of life, Heaven can have no right to find fault with it, since

it was for that it formed and fitted me."

The five bravoes stepped aside, and consulted together. The subject

of their conference is easy to be divined. In the meanwhile

Abellino remained quiet and indifferent to what was passing.

After a few minutes they again approached him. One, whose

countenance was the most ferocious, and whose form exhibited the

greatest marks of muscular strength, advanced a few paces before the

rest, and addressed Abellino as follows:"Hear me, comrade. In Venice there exist but five banditti; you see

them before you; wilt thou be the sixth? Doubt not thou wilt find

sufficient employment. My name is Matteo, and I am the father of

the band: that sturdy fellow with the red locks is called Baluzzo;

he, whose eyes twinkle like a cat's, is Thomaso, an arch-knave, I

promise you; 'twas Pietrino whose bones you handled so roughly to-

night; and yon thick-lipped Colossus, who stands next to Cinthia, is

named Stuzza. Now, then, you know us all--and since you are a

penniless devil, we are willing to incorporate you in our society;

but we must first be assured that you mean honestly by us."