e the boy liberty."

"And this thou hast done openly, and with little deference to the high
dignity and sacred character of the chief of the Republic?"

"I did it like a father and a man. If but half what they say of the
justice and kindness of the state were true, his highness would have
heard me as a father and a man."

A slight movement among the fearful Three caused the secretary to pause;
when he saw, however, that his superiors chose to maintain their
silence, he continued--

"This didst thou once in public and among the senators, but when
repulsed, as urging a petition both out of place and out of reason, thou
soughtest other to prefer thy request?"

"True, illustrious Signore."

"Thou camest among the gondoliers of the regatta in an unseemly garb,
and placed thyself foremost with those who contended for the favor of
the senate and its prince?"

"I came in the garb which I wear before the Virgin and St. Antonio, and
if I was foremost in the race, it was more owing to the goodness and
favor of the man at my side, than any virtue which is still left in
these withered sinews and dried bones. San Marco remember him in his
need, for the kind wish, and soften the hearts of the great to hear the
prayer of a childless parent!"

There was another slight expression of surprise or curiosity among the
inquisitors, and once more the secretary suspended his examination.

"Thou hearest, Jacopo," said one of the Three. "What answer dost thou
make the fisherman?"

"Signore, he speaketh truth."

"And thou hast dared to trifle with the pleasures of the city, and to
set at naught the wishes of the Doge!"

"If it be a crime, illustrious senator, to have pitied an old man who
mourned for his offspring, and to have given up my own solitary triumph
to his love for the boy, I am guilty."

There was along and silent pause after his reply. Jacopo had spoken with
habitual reverence, but with the grave composure that appeared to enter
deeply into the composition of his character. The paleness of the cheek
was the same, and the glowing eye which so singularly lighted and
animated a countenance that possessed a hue not unlike that of death,
scarce varied its gaze while he answered. A secret sign caused the
secretary to proceed with his duty.

"And thou owest thy success in the regatta, Antonio, to the favor of thy
competitor--he who is now with thee in the presence of the council?"

"Under San Teodoro and St. Antonio, the ci