The conspirators, with pallid cheeks
and staring eyes, filled up the background, and a dead and awful
silence prevailed through the assembly, scarcely interrupted by a
single breath.
"And now, then," said Flodoardo, "prepare yourselves, for this
terrible Abellino shall immediately appear before you. Do not
tremble; he shall do no one harm."
With these words he turned away from the company, advanced towards
the folding-doors. He paused for a few moments, and concealed his
face in his cloak.
"Abellino!" cried he at length, raising his head, and extending his
arm towards the door. At that name all who heard it shuddered
involuntarily, and Rosabella advanced unconsciously a few steps
towards her lover. She trembled more for Flodoardo than herself.
"Abellino!" the Florentine repeated, in a loud and angry tone, threw
from him his mantle and barrette, and had already laid his hand on
the lock of the door to open it, when Rosabella uttered a cry of
terror.
"Stay, Flodoardo!" she cried, rushing towards him, and--Ha!
Flodoardo was gone, and there, in his place, stood Abellino, and
shouted out, "Ho! ho!"
CHAPTER VI.--APPARITIONS.
Instantly a loud cry of terror resounded through the apartment.
Rosabella sank fainting at the bravo's feet; the conspirators were
almost suffocated with rage, terror, and astonishment; the ladies
made signs of the cross, and began in all haste to repeat their
paternosters; the senators stood rooted to their places like so many
statues; and the Doge doubted the information of his ears and eyes.
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