cess of unrobing neither spoke, for the affair, on which they had just been employed, caused novel and disagreeable sensations to them all. When they were delivered from their superfluous garments and their masks, however, they drew near the table, and each sought that relief for his limbs and person which was natural to the long restraint he had undergone.

"There are letters from the French king

intercepted," said one, after time had permitted them to rally their thoughts;-" it would "it would appear they treat of the new intentions of the emperor."

"Have they been restored to the ambas sador? or are the originals to go before the senate ?" demanded another.

"On that must we take council, at our leisure. I have nought else to communicate, except that the order given to intercept the messenger of the Holy See hath failed of its object."

"Of this the secretaries advertised me. We must look into the negligence of the agents, for there is good reason to believe much useful

knowledge would have come from that

seizure."

"As the attempt is already known and much spoken of, care must be had to issue orders for the arrest of the robbers, else may the republic fall into disrepute with its friends. There are names on our list which might be readily marked for punishment, for that quarter of our patrimony is never in want of proscribed, to conceal an accident of this nature."

"Good heed will be had to this, since, as you say, the affair is weighty. The government or the individual that is negligent of reputation, cannot expect long to retain the respect of its equals."

"The ambition of the House of Hapsburgh, robs me of my sleep!" exclaimed the other, throwing aside some papers, over which his eye had glanced, in disgust. "Holy St. Theodore! what a scourge to the race is the desire to augment territories and to extend an unjust rule, beyond the boundaries of reason and nature! Here have we, in Venice, been in undisputed

1

possession of provinces that are adapted to our institutions, convenient to our wants, and agreeable to our desires, for ages. Provinces that were gallantly won by our ancestors, and which cling to us as habits linger in our age, and yet are they become objects of a covetous ambition to our neighbour, under a vain pretext of a policy, that I fear is strengthened by our increasing weakness. I sicken, Signori, of my esteem for men, as I dive deeper into their tempers and desires, and often wish myself a dog, as I study their propensities. In his appetite

for

power, is not the Austrian the most rapacious of all the princes of the earth?"

"More so, think you, worthy Signore, than the Castilian? You overlook the unsatiated desire of the Spanish king to extend his sway in Italy."

66

ap

Hapsburgh or Bourbon; Turk or Englishman; they all seem actuated by the same fell petite for dominion; and now that Venice hath no more to hope, than to preserve her present

advantages, the least of all our enjoyments becomes a subject of covetous envy to our enemies. These are passions to weary one of an interference with governments, and to send him to his cord of penitence and the cloisters!"

"I never listen to your observations, Signore, without quitting the chamber an edified man! Truly this desire in the strangers to trespass on our privileges, and it may be well said, privileges which have been gained by our treasures and our blood, becomes more manifest, daily. Should it not be checked, St. Mark will be stripped, in the end, of even a landing-place for a gondola on the main."

"The leap of the winged lion is much curtailed, excellent Sir, or these things might not be! It is no longer in our power to persuade, or to command, as of old, and our canals begin to be encumbered with slimy weeds, instead of wellfreighted argosies, and swift-sailing feluccas."

"The Portuguese hath done us irretrievable harm, for without his African discoveries, we

might yet have retained the traffic in Indian commodities. I cordially dislike the mongrel race, being, as it is, half Gothic and half Moorish!"

"I trust not myself to think of their origin or of their deeds, my friend, lest prejudice should kindle feelings unbecoming a man and a christian.-How now, Signor Gradenigo; thou art thoughtful ?"

The third member of the secret council, who had not spoken since the disappearance of the accused, and who was no other than the reader's old acquaintance of the name just mentioned, slowly lifted his head, from a meditative position, at this address.

"The examination of the fisherman hath recalled scenes of my boyhood," he answered, with a touch of nature, that seldom found place in that chamber.

"I heard thee say, he was thy foster-brother," returned the other, struggling to conceal a gape.