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also。 I found that the deaths of the Doge's three friends had been
determined on； and in order to obtain full confidence with the
confederates； it was necessary to persuade them that these men had
fallen beneath my dagger。 No sooner had my plan been formed than I
imparted it to Lomellino。 He； and he only； was my confidant in this
business。 He presented me to the Doge as the son of a deceased
friend； he assisted me with his advice； he furnished me with keys to
those doors to the public gardens； which none were permitted to pass
through except Andreas and his particular friends； and which
frequently enabled me to elude pursuit； he showed me several private
passages in the palace by which I could penetrate unobserved even
into the Doge's very bed…chamber。 When the time for his
disappearance arrived； he not only readily consented to lie
concealed in a retreat known only to ourselves； but was also the
means of inducing Manfrone and Conari to join him in his retirement；
till the fortunate issue of this day's adventure permitted me to set
them once more at liberty。 The banditti exist no longer； the
conspirators are in chains； my plans are accomplished； and now；
Venetians； if you still think him deserving of it； here stands the
bravo Abellino； and you may lead him to the scaffold when you will。〃
〃To the scaffold！〃 exclaimed at once the Doge； the senators； and the
whole crowd of nobility； and every one burst into enthusiastic
praises of the dauntless Neapolitan。
〃Oh； Abellino；〃 exclaimed Andreas； while he wiped away a tear； 〃I
would gladly give my ducal bonnet to be such a bravo as thou hast
been。 'Doge；' did thou once say to me； 'thou and I are the two
greatest men in Venice；' but oh； how much greater is the bravo than
the Doge！ Rosabella is that jewel； than which I have nothing in the
world more precious； Rosabella is dearer to me than an emperor's
crown； Rosabella is thine。〃
〃Abellino；〃 said Rosabella； and extended her hand to the handsome
Bravo。
〃Triumph！〃 cried he； 〃Rosabella is the Bravo's Bride；〃 and he
clasped the blushing maid to his bosom。
CHAPTER VII。CONCLUSION。
And now it would not be at all amiss to make Count Rosalvo sit down
quietly between the good old Doge and his lovely niece； and then
cause him to relate the motive of Monaldeschi's hatred； in what
manner he lost Valeria； what crimes were imputed to him； and how he
escaped from the assassins sent in pursuit of him by his enemy； how
he had long wandered from place to place； and how he had at length
learned； during his abode in Bohemia with a gang of gipsies； such
means of disguising his features as enabled him to defy the keenest
penetration to discover in the beggar Abellino the once admired
Count Rosalvo； how in this disguise he had returned to Italy； and
how Lomellino； having ascertained that he was universally believed
at Naples to have long since perished by shipwreck； and therefore
that neither the officers of the Inquisition； nor the assassins of
his enemies were likely to trouble themselves any more about him； he
had ventured to resume； with some slight alterations； his own
appearance at Venice； how the arrival of Monaldeschi had obliged him
to conceal himself； till an opportunity offered of presenting
himself to the Prince when unattended； and of demanding satisfaction
for his injuries； how he had been himself wounded in several places
by his antagonist； though the combat finally terminated in his
favour； how he had resolved to make use of Monaldeschi's death to
terrify Andreas still further； and of Parozzi's conspiracy to obtain
Rosabella's hand of the Doge； how he had trembled lest the heart of
his mistress should have been only captivated by the romantic
appearance of the adventurer Flodoardo； and have rejected him when
known to be the bravo Abellino； how he had resolved to make use of
the terror inspired by the assassin to put her love to the severest
trial； and how； had she failed in that trial； he had determined to
renounce the inconstant maid for ever； with many other HOWS； WHYS；
and WHEREFORES； which； not being explained； will； I doubt； leave
much of this tale involved in mystery： but before I begin Rosalvo's
history； I must ask two questionsFirstdo my readers like the
manner in which I relate adventures？
SecondlyIf my readers DO like my manner of relating adventures；
can I employ my time better than in relating them？
When these questions are answered； I may probably resume my pen。 In
the meanwhile； gentlemen and ladies； good…night； and pleasant dreams
attend you。
End