Ask what
you will, I will look on the task, however difficult, as nothing
more than sport and pastime. By Heaven, I would that Venice were at
this moment exposed to the most imminent danger, and that ten
thousand daggers were unsheathed against your life; Rosabella my
reward--how certain should I be to rescue Venice, and strike the ten
thousand daggers down."
"I have served the Republic faithfully and fervently for many a long
year," answered Andreas, with a bitter smile; "I have risked my life
without hesitation; I have shed my blood with profusion; I asked
nothing for my reward but to pass my old age in soft tranquillity,
and of this reward have I been cheated. My bosom friends, the
companions of my youth, the confidants of my age, have been torn
from me by the daggers of banditti; and you, Flodoardo, you, on whom
I heaped all favours, have now deprived me of this my only remaining
comfort. Answer me, Rosabella; hast thou in truth bestowed thy
heart on Flodoardo irrevocably?"
One hand of Rosabella's still rested on her uncle's shoulder; with
the other she clasped Flodoardo's and pressed it fondly against her
heart--yet Flodoardo seemed still unsatisfied. No sooner had the
Doge's question struck his ear, than his countenance became
dejected; and though his hand returned the pressure of Rosabella's,
he shook his head mournfully, with an air of doubt, and cast on her
a penetrating look, as would he have read the secrets of her inmost
soul.
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