s Anselmo Giustiniani; and albeit Ann might be sure of his
constancy, even in despite of Ursula, yet would he not deny that he
could forgive Ursula much in that she had loved much, as the Scripture
saith. Every shadow of danger for him was gone and overpast; he had
already bid Ursula farewell, and was to ride forth next morning to
Genoa, leaving the plague-stricken city behind him, and would take
ship there. It was well indeed that he should be departing, inasmuch as
yestereve, when he bid Ursula good night, Giustiniani had given him
to understand that he, Herdegen, was in his way; at home he would have
shown his teeth, and with good right, to any man who had dared to speak
to him, but in Venice every man who lodged in the Fondaco was forbid the
use of weapons, and he had heard tell of Anselmo Giustiniani that he,
unlike the rest of his noble race, who were benevolent men and patrons
of learning, albeit he was a prudent statesman and serviceable to the
city, was a stern and violent man. This much in truth a man might read
in his gloomy black eyes; and many a stranger, for all he were noble and
a Knight, who had fallen out with a Venetian Signor of his degree had
vanished forever, none knew whither.

As we read these words the blood faded from Ann's cheek; but I set my
teeth, for I may confess that Herdegen's ways and words roused my wrath.
In Ann's presence I could, to be sure, hide my ire; but when I was alone
I struck my right fist into my left hand and asked of myself whether a
man or a woman were the vainer creature? For what was it that still drew
my brother to that maid who had ever pursued him and the object of his
love with cruel hate--so strongly, indeed, that he would have been ready
to cherish and comfort her--but joy at finding himself--a mere townbred
Junker--preferred above that grand nobleman? For my part, I plainly saw
that Ursula was playing the same game again as she had carried on here
with Herdegen and the Brandenburger. She spoke the man she hated fair
before the jealous Marchese, only to rouse that potent noble's fury
against my brother.

After all this my heart rejoiced when we received Herdegen's first
letter written from Genoa, nay, on board of the galleon which was to
carry him, Sir Franz and Eppelein to Cyprus. In this he made known that
he had departed from Venice without let or hindrance, and he bid us
farewell with such good cheer, and love, and hope, that Ann and I forgot
and forgave with