CINTHIA'S DWELLING.
Scarcely had Abellino achieved the bloody deed which employed every tongue in Venice, when he changed his dress and whole appearance with so much expedition and success as to prevent the slightest suspicion of his being Matteo's murderer. He quitted the gardens unquestioned, nor left the least trace which could lead to a discovery.
He arrived at Cinthia's dwelling. It was already evening. Cinthia opened the door, and Abellino entered the common apartment.
"Where are the rest?" said he in a savage tone of voice whose sound made Cinthia tremble.
"They have been asleep," she answered, "since mid-day. Probably they mean to go out on some pursuit to-night." Abellino threw himself into a chair, and seemed to be lost in thought.
"But why are you always so gloomy, Abellino?" said Cinthia, drawing near him; "it's that which makes you so ugly. Prithee away with those frowns; they make your countenance look worse than nature made it?"Abellino gave no answer.
"Really, you are enough to frighten a body! Come, now, let us be friends, Abellino; I begin not to dislike you, and to endure your appearance; and I don't know but--""Go, wake the sleepers!" roared the bravo.
"The sleepers? Pshaw, let them sleep on, the stupid rogues. Sure you are not afraid to be alone with me? Mercy on me, one would think I looked as terrible as yourself? Do I? Nay, look on me, Abellino."Cinthia, to say the truth, was by no means an ill-looking girl; her eyes were bright and expressive; the hair fell in shining ringlets over her bosom; her lips were red and full, and she bowed them towards Abellino's. But Abellino's were still sacred by the touch of Rosabella's cheek. He started from his seat, and removed, yet gently, Cinthia's hand, which rested on his shoulder.
"Wake the sleepers, my good girl," said he, "I must speak with them this moment."Cinthia hesitated.
"Nay, go," said he, in a fierce voice.
Cinthia retired in silence; yet as she crossed the threshold, she stopped for an instant and menaced him with her finger.
Abellino strode through the chamber with hasty steps, his head reclining on his shoulder, his arms folded over his breast.
"The first step is taken," said he to himself. "There is one moral monster the less on earth. I have committed no sin by this murder;I have but performed a sacred duty. Aid me, thou Great and Good, for arduous is the task before me. Ah, should that task be gone through with success, and Rosabella be the reward of my labours--Rosabella? What, shall the Doge's niece bestow on the outcast Abellino? Oh, madman that I am to hope it, never can I reach the goal of my wishes! No, never was there frenzy to equal mine. To attach myself at first sight to--Yet Rosabella alone is capable of thus enchanting at first sight--Rosabella and Valeria? To be beloved by two such women--Yet, though 'tis impossible to attain, the striving to attain such an end is glorious. Illusions so delightful will at least make me happy for a moment, and alas, the wretched Abellino needs so many illusions that for a moment will make him happy! Oh, surely, knew the world what I gladly would accomplish, the world would both love and pity me."Cinthia returned; the four bravoes followed her, yawning, grumbling, and still half asleep.
"Come, come!" said Abellino, "rouse yourselves, lads. Before I say anything, be convinced that you are wide awake, for what I am going to tell you is so strange that you would scarce believe it in a dream."They listened to him with an air of indifference and impatience.
"Why, what's the matter now?" said Thomaso, while he stretched himself.
"Neither more nor less than that our honest, hearty, brave Matteo is murdered.""What, murdered!" every one exclaimed, and gazed with looks of terror on the bearer of this unwelcome news; while Cinthia gave a loud scream, and, clasping her hands together, sank almost breathless into a chair.
A general silence prevailed for some time.
"Murdered"' at length repeated Thomaso, "and by whom?"Baluzzo.--Where?
Pietrino.--What? this forenoon?
Abellino.--In the gardens of Dolabella, where he was found bleeding at the feet of the Doge's niece. Whether he fell by her hand, or by that of one of her admirers, I cannot say.
Cinthia (weeping).--Poor dear Matteo.
Abellino.--About this time to-morrow you will see his corpse exhibited on the gibbet.
Pietrino.--What! Did any one recognise him?
Abellino.--Yes, yes! there's no doubt about his trade, you may depend on't.
