ace in the blanket, and prayed. After
which there was deep quiet.

"Father!" he added, trembling at his own smothered voice.

He was unanswered; stretching out a hand, it touched the features of a
corpse. With a firmness that had the quality of desperation, he again
bowed his head and uttered fervently a prayer for the dead.

When the door of the cell opened, Jacopo appeared to the keepers, with a
dignity of air that belongs only to character, and which was heightened
by the scene in which he had just been an actor. He raised his hands,
and stood immovable while the manacles were replaced. This office done,
they walked away together in the direction of the secret chamber. It was
not long ere all were again in their places, before the Council of
Three.

"Jacopo Frontoni," resumed the secretary, "thou art suspected of being
privy to another dark deed that hath had place of late within our city.
Hast thou any knowledge of a noble Calabrian, who hath high claim to the
senate's honors, and who hath long had his abode in Venice?"

"Signore, I have."

"Hast thou had aught of concern with him?"

"Signore, yes."

A movement of common interest made itself apparent among the auditors.

"Dost thou know where the Don Camillo Monforte is at present."

Jacopo hesitated. He so well understood the means of intelligence
possessed by the Council, that he doubted how far it might be prudent to
deny his connexion with the flight of the lovers. Besides, at that
moment, his mind was deeply impressed with a holy sentiment of truth.

"Canst thou say, why the young duca is not to be found in his palace?"
repeated the secretary.

"Illustrissimo, he hath quitted Venice for ever."

"How canst thou know this?--Would he make a confidant of a common
Bravo?"

The smile which crossed the features of Jacopo was full of superiority;
it caused the conscious agent of the Secret Tribunal to look closely at
his papers, like one who felt its power.

"Art thou his confidant--I ask again?"

"Signore, in this, I am--I have the assurance from the mouth of Don
Camillo Monforte himself, that he will not return."

"This is impossible, since it would involve a loss of all his fair
hopes and illustrious fortunes."

"He consoled himself, Signore, with the possession of the heiress of
Tiepolo's love, and with her riches."

Again there was a movement among the Three, which all their practised
restraint, and the conventional dignity of their mysteri