ss of humanity. So far from consulting the
sufferings of the captive, his winter cell was below the level of the
canals, while his summers were to be passed beneath the leads exposed to
the action of the burning sun of that climate. As the reader has
probably anticipated already, that Jacopo was in the prison on an errand
connected with some captive, this short explanation will enable him to
understand the secret allusion of his companion. He they sought had, in
truth, been recently conveyed from the damp cells where he had passed
the winter and spring, to the heated chambers beneath the roof.

Gelsomina continued to lead the way with a sadness of eye and feature
that betrayed her strong sympathy with the sufferings of her companion,
but without appearing to think further delay necessary. She had
communicated a circumstance which weighed heavily on her own mind, and,
like most of her mild temperament, who had dreaded such a duty, now that
it was discharged she experienced a sensible relief. They ascended many
flights of steps, opened and shut numberless doors, and threaded several
narrow corridors in silence, before reaching the place of destination.
While Gelsomina sought the key of the door before which they stopped, in
the large bunch she carried, the Bravo breathed the hot air of the attic
like one who was suffocating.

"They promised me that this should not be done again!" he said. "But
they forget their pledges, fiends as they are!"

"Carlo! thou forgettest that this is the palace of the Doge!" whispered
the girl, while she threw a timid glance behind her.

"I forget nothing that is connected with the Republic! It is all here,"
striking his flushed brow--"what is not there, is in my heart!"

"Poor Carlo! this cannot last for ever--there will be an end!"

"Thou art right," answered the Bravo hoarsely. "The end is nearer than
thou thinkest. No matter; turn the key, that we may go in."

The hand of Gelsomina lingered on the lock, but admonished by his
impatient eye, she complied, and they entered the cell.

"Father!" exclaimed the Bravo, hastening to the side of a pallet that
lay on the floor.

The attenuated and feeble form of an old man rose at the word, and an
eye which, while it spoke mental feebleness, was at that moment even
brighter than that of his son, glared on the faces of Gelsomina and her
companion.

"Thou hast not suffered, as I had feared, by this sudden change,
father!" continued the latter