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carries them。 And yet I confess it is full time that we should
realise our projects； and prevent the possibility of our being
betrayed。
Falieri。You are right； friend； everything is ready now。 The
sooner that the blow is struck the better。
Parozzi。Nay； the discontented populace； which at present sides
with us； would be perfectly well pleased if the sport began this
very night； delay the business longer； and their anger against
Andreas will cool； and render them unfit for our purpose。
Contarino。Then let us decide the game at once； be to…morrow the
important day。 Leave the Doge to my disposal。 I'll at least engage
to bury my poniard in his heart； and then let the business end as it
may； one of two things must happen： either we shall rescue
ourselves from all trouble and vexation； by throwing everything into
uproar and confusion； or else we shall sail with a full wind from
this cursed world to another。
Parozzi。Mark me； friends； we must go armed to the Doge's
entertainment。
Gonzaga。All the members of the College of Ten have been
particularly invited …
Falieri。Down with every man of them！
Memmo。Aye； aye！ Fine talking； but suppose it should turn out to
be down with ourselves？
Falieri。Thou white…livered wretch！ Stay at home； then； and take
care of your worthless existence。 But if our attempt succeeds； come
not to us to reimburse you for the sums which you have already
advanced。 Not a sequin shall be paid you back； depend on't。
Memmo。You wrong me； Falieri； if you wish to prove my courage； draw
your sword and measure it against mine。 I am as brave as yourself；
but； thank Heaven； I am not quite so hot…headed。
Gonzaga。Nay； even suppose that the event should not answer our
expectations？ Andreas once dead； let the populace storm as it
pleases； the protection of his Holiness will sanction our
proceedings。
Memmo。The Pope？ May we count on his protection？
Gonzaga （throwing him a letter）。Read there； unbeliever。 The Pope；
I tell you； must protect us； since one of our objects is professed
to be the assertion of the rights of St。 Peter's Chair in Venice。
Prithee； Memmo； tease us no more with such doubts； but let
Contarino's proposal be adopted at once。 Our confederates must be
summoned to Parozzi's palace with all diligence； and there furnished
with such weapons as are necessary。 Let the stroke of midnight be
the signal for Contarino's quitting the ball…room； and hastening to
seize the arsenal。 Salviati； who commands there； is in our
interest； and will throw open the gates at the first summons。
Falieri。The admiral Adorna； as soon as he hears the alarm…bell；
will immediately lead his people to our assistance。
Parozzi。Oh； our success is certain。
Contarino。Only let us take care to make the confusion as general
as possible。 Our adversaries must be kept in the dark who are their
friends and who their foes； and all but our own party must be left
ignorant as to the authors； the origin； and the object of the
uproar。
Parozzi。Heaven； I am delighted at finding the business at length
so near the moment of execution！
Falieri。Parozzi； have you distributed the white ribbons by which
we are to recognise our partisans？
Parozzi。That was done some days ago。
Contarino。Then there is no more necessary to be said on the
subject。 Comrades； fill your goblets。 We will not meet again
together till our work has been completed。
Memmo。And yet methinks it would not be unwise to consider the
matter over again coolly。
Contarino。Pshaw！ consideration and prudence have nothing to do
with a rebellion； despair and rashness in this case are better
counsellors。 The work once begun； the constitution of Venice once
boldly overturned； so that no one can tell who is master and who is
subject； then consideration will be of service in instructing us how
far it may be necessary for our interest to push the confusion。
Come； friends！ fill； fill； I say。 I cannot help laughing when I
reflect that； by giving this entertainment to…morrow； the Doge
himself kindly affords us an opportunity of executing our plans。
Parozzi。As to Flodoardo； I look upon him already as in his grave；
yet before we go to…morrow to the Doge's； it will be as well to have
a conference with Abellino。
Contarino。That care we will leave to you； Parozzi； and in the
meanwhile here's the health of Abellino。
All。Abellino！
Gonzaga。And success to our enterprise to…morrow。
Memmo。I'll drink THAT toast with all my heart。
All。Success to to…morrow's enterprise！
Parozzi。The wine tastes well； and every face looks gay； pass
eight…and…forty hours； and shall we look as gaily？ We separate
smiling； shall we smile when two nights hence we meet again？ No
matter。
CHAPTER IV。THE DECISIVE DAY。
The next morning everything in Venice seemed as tranquil as if
nothing more than ordinary was on the point of taking place； and
yet； since her first foundation； never had a more important day
risen on the Republic。
The inhabitants of the ducal palace were in motion early。 The
impatient Andreas forsook the couch on which he had passed a
sleepless and anxious night； as soon as the first sunbeams
penetrated through the lattice of his chamber。 Rosabella had
employed the hours of rest in dreams of Flodoardo； and she still
seemed to be dreaming of him； even after sleep was fled。 Camilla's
love for her fair pupil had broken her repose； she loved Rosabella
as had she been her daughter； and was aware that on this interesting
day depended the love…sick girl's whole future happiness。 For some
time Rosabella was unusually gay； she sang to her harp the most
lively airs； and jested with Camilla for looking so serious and so
uneasy； but when mid…day approached； her spirits began to forsake
her。 She quitted her instrument； and paced the chamber with
unsteady steps。 With every succeeding hour her heart palpitated
with greater pain and violence； and she trembled in expectation of
the scene which was soon to take place。
The most illustrious persons in Venice already filled her uncle's
palace； the afternoon so much dreaded； and yet so much desired； was
come； and the Doge now desired Camilla to conduct his niece to the
great saloon； where she was expected with impatience by all those
who were of most consequence in the Republic。
Rosabella sank on her knees before a statue of the Virgin。 〃Blessed
Lady！〃 she exclaimed； with lifted hands； 〃have mercy on me！ Let all
to…day end well！〃
Pale as death did she enter the chamber in which； on the day before；
she had acknowledged her love for Flodoardo； and Flodoardo had sworn
to risk his life to obtain her。 Flodoardo was not yet arrived。
The assembly was brilliant； the conversation was gay。 They talked
over the politics of the day； and discussed the various occurrences
of Europe。 The Cardinal and Contarino were e