read sovereign, they that call him thus know not his heart! One more
true to his friends, more faithful to his word, or more suppliant with
the saints, than Jacopo Frontoni, is not in Venice!"

"This is a character which art might appropriate, even to a bravo. But
we waste the moments. What have these Frontoni in common?"

"Highness, they are father and son. When Jacopo came to be of an age to
understand the misfortunes of his family, he wearied the senators with
applications in his father's behalf, until they commanded the door of
the cell to be secretly opened to a child so pious. I well know, great
prince, that they who rule cannot have all-seeing eyes, else could this
wrong never have happened. But Francesco wasted years in cells, chill
and damp in winter, and scorching in summer, before the falsehood of the
accusation was known. Then, as some relief to sufferings so little
merited, Jacopo was admitted."

"With what object, girl?"

"Highness, was it not in pity? They promised too, that in good time the
service of the son should buy the father's liberty. The patricians were
slow to be convinced, and they made terms with poor Jacopo, who agreed
to undergo a hard service that his father might breathe free air before
he died."

"Thou dealest in enigmas."

"I am little used, great Doge, to speak in such a presence, or on such
subjects. But this I know, that for three weary years hath Jacopo been
admitted to his father's cell, and that those up above consented to the
visits, else would my father have denied them. I was his companion in
the holy act, and will call the blessed Maria and the saints------"

"Girl, didst thou know him for a bravo?"

"Oh! Highness, no. To me he seemed a dutiful child, fearing God and
honoring his parent. I hope never to feel another pang, like that which
chilled my heart when they said, he I had known as the kind Carlo was
hunted in Venice as the abhorred Jacopo! But it is passed, the Mother of
God be praised!"

"Thou art betrothed to this condemned man?"

The color did not deepen on the cheek of Gelsomina at this abrupt
question, for the tie between her and Jacopo had become too sacred for
the ordinary weaknesses of her sex.

"Highness, yes; we were to be married, should it have pleased God, and
those great senators who have so much influence over the happiness of
the poor, to permit it."

"And thou art still willing, knowing the man, to pledge thy vows to one
like Jacopo?"

"