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hopeless and melancholy looks the poor thunderstruck youth had
followed her steps as she turned to leave him。 She fancied that she
saw him stretched despairing on the earth； his hair dishevelled； his
eyes filled with tears。 She heard him term her the murderess of his
repose； pray for death as his only refuge； and she saw him with
every moment approach towards the attainment of his prayer through
the tears which he shed on her account。 Already she heard those
dreadful words〃Flodoardo is no more。〃 Already she saw the
sympathising multitude weep round the tomb of him whom all the
virtuous loved； and whom the wicked dreaded； whom all his friends
adored； and whom even his enemies admired。
〃Alas！ alas！〃 cried she； 〃this was but a wretched attempt to play
the heroine。 Already does my resolution fail me。 Ah； Flodoardo！ I
meant not what I said。 I love youlove you now； and must love you
always； though Camilla may chide； and though my good uncle may hate
me。〃
In a few days after this interview she understood that an
extraordinary alteration had taken place in Flodoardo's manner and
appearance； that he had withdrawn himself from all general society；
and that when the solicitations of his intimate friends compelled
him to appear in their circle； his spirits seemed evidently
depressed by the weight of an unconquerable melancholy。
This intelligence was like the stroke of a poniard to the feeling
heart of Rosabella。 She fled for shelter to the solitude of her
chamber； there indulged her feelings without restraint； and
lamented； with showers of repentant tears； her harsh treatment of
Flodoardo。
The grief which preyed in secret on her soul soon undermined her
health。 No one could relieve her sufferings； for no one knew the
cause of her melancholy； or the origin of her illness。 No wonder；
then； that Rosabella's situation at length excited the most bitter
anxiety in the bosom of her venerable uncle。 No wonder； too； that
Flodoardo entirely withdrew himself from a world which was become
odious to him； since Rosabella was to be seen in it no longer； and
that he devoted himself in solitude to the indulgence of a passion
which he had vainly endeavoured to subdue； and which； in the
impetuosity of its course； had already swallowed up every other
wish； and every other sentiment。
But let us for the moment turn from the sick chamber of Rosabella；
and visit the dwellings of the conspirators； who were now advancing
with rapid strides towards the execution of their plans； and who；
with every hour that passed over their heads； became more numerous；
more powerful； and more dangerous to Andreas and his beloved
Republic。
Parozzi； Memmo； Contarino； Falieri； the chiefs of this desperate
undertaking； now assembled frequently in the Cardinal Gonzaga's
palace； where different plans for altering the constitution of
Venice were brought forward and discussed。 But in all different
schemes it was evident that the proposer was solely actuated by
considerations of private interest。 The object of one was to get
free from the burden of enormous debts； another was willing to
sacrifice everything to gratify his inordinate ambition。 The
cupidity of THIS man was excited by the treasures of Andreas and his
friends； while THAT was actuated by resentment of some fancied
offence； a resentment which could only be quenched with the
offender's blood。
These execrable wretches； who aimed at nothing less than the total
overthrow of Venice； or at least of her government； looked towards
the completion of their extravagant hopes with the greater
confidence； since a new but necessary addition to the already
existing taxes had put the Venetian populace out of humour with
their rulers。
Rich enough； both in adherents and in wealth； to realise their
projects； rich enough in bold； shrewd； desperate men； whose minds
were well adapted to the contrivance and execution of revolutionary
projects； they now looked down with contempt upon the good old Doge；
who as yet entertained no suspicion of their nocturnal meetings。
Still did they not dare to carry their projects into effect； till
some principal persons in the State should be prevented by DEATH
from throwing obstacles in their way。 For the accomplishment of
this part of their plan they relied on the daggers of the banditti。
Dreadful therefore was the sound in their ears； when the bell gave
the signal for execution； and they saw their best…founded hopes
expire on the scaffold； which supported the headless trunks of the
four bravoes。 But if their consternation was great at thus losing
the destined instruments of their designs； how extravagant was their
joy when the proud Abellino dared openly to declare to Venice that
he still inhabited the Republic； and that he still wore a dagger at
the disposal of Vice。
〃This desperado is the very man for us！〃 they exclaimed unanimously；
and in rapture； and now their most ardent wish was to enroll
Abellino in their services。
Their object was soon attainedthey sought the daring ruffian； and
he suffered himself to be found。 He visited their meetings； but in
his promises and demands he was equally extravagant。
The first and most earnest wish of the whole conspiracy was the
death of Conari； the Procurator； a man whom the Doge valued beyond
all others； a man whose eagle eyes made the conspirators hourly
tremble for their secret； and whose service the Doge had accepted；
in preference to those of the Cardinal Gonzaga。 But the sum which
Abellino demanded for the murder of this one man was enormous。
〃Give me the reward which I require；〃 said he； 〃and I promise； on
the word of a man of honour； that after this night the Procurator；
Conari； shall give you no further trouble。 Exalt him to heaven； or
imprison him in hell； I'll engage to find and stab him。〃
What could they do？ Abellino was not a man to be easily beat down
in his demands。 The Cardinal was impatient to attain the summit of
his wishes； but his road lay straight over Conari's grave！
Abellino received the sum demanded； the next day the venerable
Conari； the Doge's best and dearest friend； the pride and safeguard
of the Republic； was no longer numbered among the living。
〃'Tis a terrible fellow； this Abellino！〃 cried the conspirators；
when the news reached them； and celebrated the Procurator's death in
triumph at the Cardinal's midnight feast。
The Doge was almost distracted with terror and astonishment。 He
engaged to give ten thousand sequins to any one who should discover
by whom Conari had been removed from the world。 A proclamation to
this effect was published at the corner of every street in Venice；
and made known throughout the territories of the Republic。 A few
days after this proclamation had been made； a paper was discovered
affixed to the principal door of the Venetian Signoria。
〃VENETIANS！
〃You would fain know the author of Conari's dea