regarded the scene like one accustomed to its effect, though with evident reverence and awe; but the impression on Antonio was too manifest to be lost. It is probable that the long pause which followed his introduction, was intended to produce, and to note this effect, for keen eyes were intently watching his countenance during its continuance.

"Thou art called Antonio, of the Lagunes ?" demanded one of the secretaries near the table, when a sign had been secretly made from the crimson member of that fearful tribunal, to proceed.

"A poor fisherman, eccellenza, who owes much to blessed Saint Antonio of the Miraculous Draught."

"And thou hast a son who bears thine own name, and who follows the same pursuit ?"

"It is the duty of a christian to submit to the will of God! My boy has been dead twelve years, come the day when the republic's gallies chased the infidel from Corfu

to Candia. He was slain, noble Signore, with many others of his calling, in that bloody fight."

There was a movement of surprise among the clerks, who whispered together, and appeared to examine the papers in their hands, with some haste and confusion. Glances were sent back at the judges, who sate motionless, wrapped in the impenetrable mystery of their functions. A secret sign, however, soon caused the armed attendants of the place to lead Antonio and his companion from the room.

"Here is some inadvertency!" said a stern voice, from one of the masqued Three, so soon as the fall of the footsteps of those who retired was no longer audible. "It is not seemly that the inquisition of St. Mark should shew this ignorance."

"It touches merely the family of an obscure fisherman, illustrious Signore," returned the trembling dependant; " and it may be that

his art would wish to deceive us in the opening

interrogatories."

"Thou art in error," interrupted another of the Three. "The man is named Antonio Vecchio, and, as he sayeth, his only child died in the hot affair with the Ottoman. He of whom there is question, is a grandson, and is still a boy."

"The noble Signore is right!" returned the clerk." In the hurry of affairs we have misconceived a fact, which the wisdom of the council has been quick to rectify. St. Mark is happy in having among his proudest and oldest names, senators who enter thus familiarly into the interests of his meanest children !”

"Let the man be again introduced," resumed the judge, slightly bending his head to the compliment. "These accidents are unavoidable in the press of affairs."

The necessary order was given, and Antonio, with his companion constantly at his elbow, was brought once more into the presence.

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Thy son died' in the service of the republic, Antonio?" demanded the secretary.

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Signore, he did. Holy Maria have pity on his early fate and listen to my prayers! So good a child, and so brave a man can have no great need of masses for his soul, or his death would have been doubly grievous to me, since I am too poor to buy them."

"Thou hast a grandson ?"

"I had one, noble senator; I hope he still lives."

"He is not with thee in thy labours on the Lagunes ?"

"San Teodoro grant that he were! he is taken, Signore, with many more of tender years, into the gallies, whence may our Lady give him a safe deliverance! If your eccellenza has an opportunity to speak with the general of the gallies, or with any other who may have authority in such a matter, on my knees, I pray you to speak in behalf of the child, who is a good and pious lad, that seldom casts a

line into the water, without an ave or a prayer to St. Anthony, and who has never given me uneasiness, until he fell into the gripe of St. Mark."

"Rise This is not the affair in which I have to question thee. Thou hast this day

spoken of thy prayer to our most illustrious prince, the doge ?”

"I have prayed his highness to give the boy liberty."

"And this thou hast done openly, and with little deference to the high dignity and sacred character of the chief of the republic ?"

"I did it like a father and a man. If but half what they say of the justice and kindness of the state were true, his highness would have heard me as a father and a man."

A slight movement among the fearful Three, caused the secretary to pause; when he saw, however, that his superiors chose to maintain their silence, he continued

"This didst thou once in public and among