oy. Men fell
on to each other's necks, and embraced. Some threw up their caps. All
were wild with joy, and pent-up excitement.

Zeno, who, in ignorance of the terrible straits to which his countrymen
were reduced, was making with his fleet direct to Venice, was
intercepted by one of the galleys, and at once bore up for Brondolo,
and presently dropped anchor near the shore. As he did so, a boat was
lowered, and he rowed to the strand, where the Venetians crowded down
to greet him. With difficulty, he made his way through the shouting
multitude to the spot, a little distance away, where the doge was
awaiting him.

Zeno was of medium height, square shouldered and broad chested. His
head was manly and handsome, his nose aquiline, his eyes large, dark,
and piercingly bright, and shaded by strongly-marked eyebrows. His air
was grave and thoughtful, and in strong contrast to that of the merry
and buoyant Pisani. His temper was more equable, but his character was
as impulsive as that of the admiral. He was now forty-five years of
age--ten years the junior of Pisani. Zeno was intended for the church,
and was presented by the pope with the reversion of a rich prebendal
stall at Patras. On his way to Padua, to complete his studies at the
university, he was attacked by robbers, who left him for dead. He
recovered, however, and went to Padua. He became an accomplished
scholar; but was so fond of gambling that he lost every penny, and was
obliged to escape from his creditors by flight. For five years he
wandered over Italy, taking part in all sorts of adventures, and then
suddenly returned to Venice, and was persuaded by his friends to
proceed to Patras, where his stall was now vacant.

When he arrived there, he found the city besieged by the Turks. In
spite of his clerical dignity, he placed himself in the front rank of
its defenders, and distinguished himself by extreme bravery. He was
desperately wounded, and was again believed to be dead. He was even
placed in his coffin; but just as it was being nailed down, he showed
signs of returning life. He did not stay long at Patras, but travelled
in Germany, France, and England.

Soon after he returned to Patras he fought a duel, and thereby
forfeited his stall. He now renounced the clerical profession, and
married a wealthy heiress. She died shortly afterwards, and he married
the daughter of the Admiral Marco Giustiniani.

He now entered upon political life, and soon showed brilli