a vain and ridiculous
pretender, and on whose head bitter imprecations had been so lavishly
poured, was now lauded with cries of triumph.

The gondoliers of the canals were laughed to scorn, and the ears of even
the haughty nobles were not respected, as the exulting band taunted
their pampered menials.

In short, by a process which is common enough with man in all the
divisions and subdivisions of society, the merit of one was at once
intimately and inseparably connected with the glory and exultation of
all.

Had the triumph of the fishermen confined itself to this natural and
commonplace exhibition, it would not have given grave offence to the
vigilant and jealous power that watched over the peace of Venice. But
amid the shouts of approbation were mingled cries of censure. Words of
grave import were even heard, denouncing those who refused to restore to
Antonio his child; and it was whispered on the deck of the Bucentaur,
that, filled with the imaginary importance of their passing victory, the
hardy band of rioters had dared to menace a forcible appeal, to obtain
what they audaciously termed the justice of the case.

This ebullition of popular feeling was witnessed by the assembled
senate in ominous and brooding silence. One unaccustomed to reflection
on such a subject, or unpractised in the world, might have fancied alarm
and uneasiness were painted on the grave countenances of the patricians,
and that the signs of the times were little favorable to the continuance
of an ascendency that was dependent more on the force of convention than
on the possession of any physical superiority. But, on the other hand,
one who was capable of judging between the power of political
ascendency, strengthened by its combinations and order, and the mere
ebullitions of passion, however loud and clamorous, might readily have
seen that the latter was not yet displayed in sufficient energy to break
down the barriers which the first had erected.

The fishermen were permitted to go their way unmolested, though here and
there a gondola was seen stealing towards the Lido, bearing certain of
those secret agents of the police whose duty it was to forewarn the
existing powers of the presence of danger. Among the latter was the boat
of the wine-seller, which departed from the Piazzetta, containing a
stock of his merchandise, with Annina, under the pretence of making his
profit out of the present turbulent temper of their ordinary customers.