, in search of the heir of one of the most ancient and honorable
houses of Venice."

"How knowest thou I am he thou seekest?"

"Signore, there are many signs seen by a wise man, that escape the
unobservant. When young cavaliers have a taste for mingling with the
people in honorable disguise, as in the case of a certain patrician of
this Republic, they are to be known by their air, if not by their
voices."

"Thou art a cunning agent, Hosea; but the shrewdness of thy race is its
livelihood!"

"It is its sole defence against the wrongs of the oppressor, young
noble. We are hunted like wolves, and it is not surprising that we
sometimes show the ferocity of the beasts yon take us for. But why
should I tell the wrongs of my people to one who believes life is a
masquerade!"

"And who would not be sorry, ingenious Hosea, were it composed only of
Hebrews! But thy errand; I have no gage unredeemed, nor do I know that I
owe thee gold."

"Righteous Samuel! your cavaliers of the Senate are not always mindful
of the past, Signore, or these are words that might have been spared. If
your excellency is inclined to forget pledges, the fault is not of my
seeking; but as for the account that has been so long growing between
us, there is not a dealer on the Rialto that will dispute the proofs."

"Well, be it so--would'st thou dun my father's son in the face of the
revellers in St. Mark?"

"I would do no discredit to any come of that illustrious race, Signore,
and therefore we will say no more of the matter; always relying that, at
the proper moment, you will not question your own hand and seal."

"I like thy prudence, Hebrew. It is a pledge thou comest on some errand
less ungracious than common. As I am pressed for time, 'twill be a favor
wert thou to name it."

Hosea examined, in a covert but very thorough manner, the vacant spot
around them, and drawing nearer to the supposed noble, he continued:

"Signore, your family is in danger of meeting with a great loss! It is
known to you that the Senate has altogether and suddenly removed Donna
Violetta from the keeping of the faithful and illustrious senator your
father."

Though Jacopo started slightly, the movement was so natural for a
disappointed lover, that it rather aided than endangered his disguise.

"Compose yourself, young Signore," continued Hosea; "these
disappointments attend us all in youth, as I know by severe trials. Leah
was not gained without trouble, and next