y be seen she is no respecter of persons: and wert thou an Avoyer, the
decree must come. Reflect maturely, therefore, on all the facts, and thou
wilt come, in time, to see the impossibility of thine own innocence.
First, thou left the path, being ahead of Jacques Colis, to enter it at a
moment suited to thy purposes: then thou took'st his life for gold--"

"But this is believing that to be true, Signor Bailiff, which is only yet
supposed," interrupted Il Maledetto; "I left the path to give Nettuno his
charge apart from curious eyes; and, as for the gold of which you speak,
would the owner of a necklace of that price be apt to barter his soul
against a booty like this which comes of Jacques Colis!"

Maso spoke with a contempt which did not serve his cause; for it left the
impression among the auditors, that he weighed the morality and immorality
of his acts simply by their result.

"It is time to bring this to an end," said the Signor Grimaldi, who had
been thoughtful and melancholy while the others spoke: "thou hast
something to address particularly to me, Maso; but if thy claim is no
better than that of our common country, I grieve to say, it cannot be
admitted."

"Signore, the voice of a Doge of Genoa is not often raised in vain, when
he would use it in behalf of another!"

At this sudden announcement of the traveller's rank, the monks and the
chatelain started in surprise, and a low murmur of wonder was heard in
the chapel. The smile of Peterchen, and the composure of the Baron de
Willading, however, showed that they, at least, learned nothing new. The
bailiff whispered the prior significantly, and from that moment his
deportment towards the Genoese took still more of the character of formal
and official respect. On the other hand, the Signor Grimaldi remained
composed, like one accustomed to receive deference, though his manner lost
the slight degree of restraint that had been imposed by the observance of
the temporary character he had assumed.

"The voice of a Doge of Genoa should not be used in intercession, unless
in behalf of the innocent," he replied, keeping his severe eye fastened on
the countenance of the accused.

Again Il Maledetto seemed laboring with some secret that struggled on his
tongue.

"Speak," continued the Prince of Genoa; for it was, in truth, that high
functionary, who had journeyed incognito, in the hope of meeting his
ancient friend at the sports of Vevey, "Speak, Maso, if thou hast