The Bravo (30 page)

"Father, are we worthy to know more of that thou hast witnessed?"

"The secrets of the confessional are sacred, my son; but this hath been
a disclosure to cover the living, not the dead, with shame."

"I see the hand of those up above in this!" for so most spoke of the
Council of Three. "They have tampered with my right for years to suit
their selfish purposes, and to my shame must I own it, they have driven
me to a submission, in order to obtain justice, that as ill accords with
my feelings as with my character."

"Nay, Camillo, thou art incapable of this injustice to thyself!"

"'Tis a fearful government, dearest, and its fruits are equally
pernicious to the ruler and the subject. It hath, of all other dangers
the greatest, the curse of secresy on its intentions, its acts, and its
responsibilities!"

"Thou sayest true, my son; there is no security against oppression and
wrong in a state but the fear of God or the fear of man. Of the first,
Venice hath none, for too many souls share the odium of her sins; and as
for the last, her deeds are hid from their knowledge."

"We speak boldly, for those who live beneath her laws," observed Donna
Florinda, glancing a look timidly around her. "As we can neither change
nor mend the practices of the state, better that we should be silent."

"If we cannot alter the power of the council, we may elude it," hastily
answered Don Camillo, though he too dropped his voice, and assured
himself of their security by closing the casement, and casting his eyes
towards the different doors of the room. "Are you assured of the
fidelity of the menials, Donna Florinda?"

"Far from it, Signore; we have those who are of ancient service and of
tried character; but we have those who are named by the Senator
Gradenigo, and who are doubtless no other than the agents of the State."

"In this manner do they pry into the privacy of all! I am compelled to
entertain in my palace varlets that I know to be their hirelings; and
yet do I find it better to seem unconscious of their views, lest they
environ me in a manner that I cannot even suspect. Think you, father,
that my presence here hath escaped the spies?"

"It would be to hazard much were we to rely on such security. None saw
us enter, as I think, for we used the secret gate and the more private
entrance; but who is certain of being unobserved when every fifth eye is
that of a mercenary?"

The terrified Violetta laid her hand on the arm of her lover.

"Even now, Camillo," she said, "thou mayest be observed, and secretly
devoted to punishment!"

"If seen, doubt it not: St. Mark will never pardon so bold an
interference with his pleasure. And yet, sweetest Violetta, to gain thy
favor this risk is nothing; nor will a far greater hazard turn me from
my purpose."

"These inexperienced and confiding spirits have taken advantage of my
absence to communicate more freely than was discreet," said the
Carmelite, in the manner of one who foresaw the answer.

"Father, nature is too strong for the weak preventives of prudence."

The brow of the monk became clouded. His companions watched the workings
of his mind, as they appeared in a countenance that in common was so
benevolent, though always sad. For a few moments none broke the silence.

The Carmelite at length demanded, raising his troubled look to the
countenance of Don Camillo,—

"Hast thou duly reflected on the consequences of this rashness, son?
What dost thou purpose in thus braving the anger of the Republic, and in
setting at defiance her arts, her secret means of intelligence, and her
terrors?"

"Father, I have reflected as all of my years reflect, when in heart and
soul they love. I have brought myself to feel that any misery would be
happiness compared to the loss of Violetta, and that no risk can exceed
the reward of gaining her favor. Thus much for the first of thy
questions; for the last I can only say that I am too much accustomed to
the wiles of the Senate to be a novice in the means of counteracting
them."

"There is but one language for youth, when seduced by that pleasing
delusion which paints the future with hues of gold. Age and experience
may condemn it, but the weakness will continue to prevail in all until
life shall appear in its true colors. Duke of Sant' Agata, though a
noble of high lineage and illustrious name, and though lord of many
vassals, thou art not a power—thou can'st not declare thy palace in
Venice a fortress, nor send a herald to the Doge with defiance."

"True, reverend monk; I cannot do this—nor would it be well for him who
could, to trust his fortune on so reckless a risk. But the states of St.
Mark do not cover the earth—we can fly."

"The Senate hath a long arm, and it hath a thousand secret hands."

"None know it better than I. Still it does no violence without motive;
the faith of their ward irretrievably mine, the evil, as respects them,
becomes irreparable."

"Think'st thou so! Means would quickly be found to separate you. Believe
not that Venice would be thwarted of its design so easily; the wealth of
a house like this would purchase many an unworthy suitor, and thy right
would be disregarded, or haply denied."

"But, father, the ceremony of the church may not be despised!"
exclaimed Violetta; "it comes from heaven and is sacred."

"Daughter, I say it with sorrow, but the great and the powerful find
means even to set aside that venerable and holy sacrament. Thine own
gold would serve to seal thy misery."

"This might arrive, father, were we to continue within the grasp of St.
Mark," interrupted the Neapolitan; "but once beyond his borders, 'twould
be a bold interference with the right of a foreign state to lay hands on
our persons. More than this, I have a castle in St. Agata, that will
defy their most secret means, until events might happen which should
render it more prudent for them to desist than to persevere."

"This reason hath force wert thou within the walls of St. Agata, instead
of being, as thou art, among the canals."

"Here is one of Calabria, a vassal born of mine, a certain Stefano
Milano, the padrone of a Sorrentine felucca, now lying in the port. The
man is in strict amity with my own gondolier, he who was third in this
day's race. Art thou ill, father, that thou appearest troubled?"

"Proceed with thy expedient," answered the monk, motioning that he
wished not to be observed.

"My faithful Gino reports that this Stefano is on the canals, on some
errand of the Republic, as he thinks; for though the mariner is less
disposed to familiarity than is wont, he hath let drop hints that lead
to such a conclusion; the felucca is ready from hour to hour to put to
sea, and doubt not that the padrone would rather serve his natural lord
than these double-dealing miscreants of the Senate. I can pay as well as
they, if served to my pleasure, and I can punish too, when offended."

"There is reason in this, Signore, wert thou beyond the wiles of this
mysterious city. But in what manner thou embark, without drawing the
notice of those who doubtless watch our movements, on thy person?"

"There are maskers on the canals at all hours, and if Venice be so
impertinent in her system of watchfulness, thou knowest, father, that,
without extraordinary motive, that disguise is sacred. Without this
narrow privilege, the town would not be habitable a day."

"I fear the result," observed the hesitating monk, while it was evident
from the thoughtfulness of his countenance, that he calculated the
chances of the adventure. "If known and arrested, we are all lost!"

"Trust me, father, that thy fortune shall not be forgotten, even in that
unhappy issue. I have an uncle, as you know, high in the favor of the
pontiff, and who wears the scarlet hat. I pledge to you the honor of a
cavalier, all my interest with this relative, to gain such intercession
from the church as shall weaken the blow to her servant."

The features of the Carmelite flushed, and for the first time the ardent
young noble observed around his ascetic mouth an expression of worldly
pride.

"Thou hast unjustly rated my apprehensions, Lord of St. Agata," he said;
"I fear not for myself, but for others. This tender and lovely child
hath not been confided to my care, without creating a parental
solicitude in her behalf, and"—he paused, and seemed to struggle with
himself—"I have too long known the mild and womanly virtues of Donna
Florinda, to witness with indifference her exposure to a near and
fearful danger. Abandon our charge we cannot; nor do I see in what
manner, as prudent and watchful guardians, we may in any manner consent
to this risk. Let us hope that they who govern, will yet consult the
honor and happiness of Donna Violetta."

"That were to hope the winged lion would become a lamb, or the dark and
soulless senate a community of self-mortifying and godly Carthusians!
No, reverend monk, we must seize the happy moment, and none is likely
to be more fortunate than this, or trust our hopes to a cold and
calculating policy that disregards all motives but its own object. An
hour—nay, half the time—would suffice to apprise the mariner, and ere
the morning light, we might see the domes of Venice sinking into their
own hated Lagunes."

"These are the plans of confident youth, quickened by passion. Believe
me, son, it is not easy as thou imaginest, to mislead the agents of the
police. This palace could not be quitted, the felucca entered, or any
one of the many necessary steps hazarded, without drawing upon us their
eyes. Hark!—I hear the wash of oars—a gondola is even now at the
water-gate!"

Donna Florinda went hastily to the balcony, and as quickly returned to
report that she had seen an officer of the Republic enter the palace.
There was no time to lose, and Don Camillo was again urged to conceal
himself in the little oratory. This necessary caution had hardly been
observed before the door of the room opened, and the privileged
messenger of the senate announced his own appearance. It was the very
individual who had presided at the fearful execution of the fisherman,
and who had already announced the cessation of the Signor Gradenigo's
powers. His eye glanced suspiciously around the room as he entered, and
the Carmelite trembled in every limb at the look which encountered his
own. But all immediate apprehensions vanished when the usual artful
smile with which he was wont to soften his disagreeable communications,
took place of the momentary expression of a vague and habitual
suspicion.

"Noble lady," he said, bowing with deference to the rank of her he
addressed, "you may learn by this assiduity on the part of their
servant, the interest which the Senate takes in your welfare. Anxious to
do you pleasure, and ever attentive to the wishes of one so young, it
hath been decided to give you the amusement and variety of another
scene, at a season when the canals of our city become disagreeable, from
their warmth and the crowds which live in the air. I am sent to request
you will make such preparations as may befit your convenience during a
few months' residence in a purer atmosphere, and that this may be done
speedily, as your journey, always to prevent discomfort to yourself,
will commence before the rising of the sun."

"This is short notice, Signore, for a female about to quit the dwelling
of her ancestors!"

"St. Mark suffers his love and parental care to overlook the vain
ceremonies of form. It is thus the parent dealeth with the child. There
is little need of unusual notice, since it will be the business of the
government to see all that is necessary dispatched to the residence
which is to be honored with the presence of so illustrious a lady."

"For myself, Signore, little preparation is needed. But I fear the train
of servitors, that befit my condition, will require more leisure for
their arrangements."

"Lady, that embarrassment hath been foreseen, and to remove it, the
council hath decided to supply you with the only attendant you will
require, during an absence from the city which will be so short."

"How, Signore! am I to be separated from my people?"

"From the hired menials of your palace, lady, to be confided to those
who will serve your person from a nobler motive."

"And my maternal friend—my ghostly adviser?"

"They will be permitted to repose from their trusts, during your
absence."

An exclamation from Donna Florinda, and an involuntary movement of the
monk, betrayed their mutual concern. Donna Violetta suppressed the
exhibition of her own resentment, and of her wounded affections, by a
powerful effort, in which she was greatly sustained by her pride; but
she could not entirely conceal the anguish of another sort, that was
seated in her eye.

"Do I understand that this prohibition extends to her who in common
serves my person?"

"Signora, such are my instructions."

"Is it expected that Violetta Tiepolo will do these menial offices for
herself?"

"Signora, no. A most excellent and agreeable attendant has been provided
for that duty. Annina," he continued, approaching the door, "thy noble
mistress is impatient to see thee."

As he spoke, the daughter of the wine-seller appeared. She wore an air
of assumed humility, but it was accompanied by a secret mien, that
betrayed independence of the pleasure of her new mistress.

"And this damsel is to be my nearest confidante!" exclaimed Donna
Yioletta, after studying the artful and demure countenance of the girl,
a moment, with a dislike she did not care to conceal.

"Such hath been the solicitude of your illustrious guardians, lady. As
the damsel is instructed in all that is necessary, I will intrude no
longer, but take my leave, recommending that you improve the hours,
which are now few, between this and the rising sun, that you may profit
by the morning breeze in quitting the city."