the same melancholy covering as the walls. In the angles of the room
there were projecting closets, which might have been what they seemed,
or merely passages into the other apartments of the palace. All the
doors were concealed from casual observation by the hangings, which gave
one general and chilling aspect of gloom to the whole scene. On the side
of the room opposite to that on which Antonio stood, three men were
seated in curule chairs; but their masks, and the drapery which
concealed their forms, prevented all recognition of their persons. One
of this powerful body wore a robe of crimson, as the representative that
fortune had given to the select council of the Doge, and the others
robes of black, being those which had drawn the lucky, or rather the
unlucky balls, in the Council of Ten, itself a temporary and
chance-created body of the senate. There were one or two subordinates
near the table, but these, as well as the still more humble officials of
the place, were hidden from all ordinary knowledge, by disguises similar
to those of the chiefs. Jacopo regarded the scene like one accustomed to
its effect, though with evident reverence and awe; but the impression on
Antonio was too manifest to be lost. It is probable that the long pause
which followed his introduction was intended to produce, and to note
this effect, for keen eyes were intently watching his countenance during
its continuance.

"Thou art called Antonio of the Lagunes?" demanded one of the
secretaries near the table, when a sign had been secretly made from the
crimson member of that fearful tribunal to proceed.

"A poor fisherman, eccellenza, who owes much to blessed Saint Antonio of
the Miraculous Draught."

"And thou hast a son who bears thine own name, and who follows the same
pursuit?"

"It is the duty of a Christian to submit to the will of God! My boy has
been dead twelve years, come the day when the Republic's galleys chased
the infidel from Corfu to Candia. He was slain, noble Signore, with
many others of his calling, in that bloody fight."

There was a movement of surprise among the clerks, who whispered
together, and appeared to examine the papers in their hands with some
haste and confusion. Glances were sent back at the judges, who sate
motionless, wrapped in the impenetrable mystery of their functions. A
secret sign, however, soon caused the armed attendants of the place to
lead Antonio and his companion from the room.

"Here is