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'It is impossible to be more accurate, observed Trombin, without turning his head, and preserving the expression of a devout, fat-cheeked seraph, which he always put on when at his prayers. 'I have the money with me, gentlemen, continued Pignaver. 'As soon as the Benediction is over I will hand it to you, and I hope you will find it convenient to start at once.
They stood by the end of the bridge in silence a long time while it grew dark, Gambardella gazing sadly at the dark water of the still canal at his feet, while Trombin, who was of a more hopeful disposition, looked at the evening star, just visible in the darkening west, between the long lines of tall houses on each side of the canal.
One of many things which Trombin did not know about his companion was the story of that ring and how Gambardella had become possessed of it.
'Supper! said Trombin presently, dwelling on the one word in a musical tone, and with the deepest feeling. 'That is the worst of Venice, answered Gambardella, gloomily pulling his soft hat over his eyes. 'One cannot even eat here without paying.
He felt himself shrinking in his chair, while the noble Signor Trombin del Todescan, the secret envoy of the Venetian Republic, seemed to grow bigger and more imposing every moment. 'I need not say that I am delighted to be set right, after making such a grave mistake, said Monsignor Pelagatti humbly.
The people in the street stared at the two in surprise, for they seemed to be walking for a match, and it looked as if the hunchback were getting the better of it. 'I trust, he said in a quiet undertone, 'that Count Trombin is in no apprehension owing to his having wounded the Pope's nephew under our windows the other night? 'Not at all, answered the other. 'So you saw it, did you?
'Your reverence must pay toll at this bridge, said Trombin. 'Toll? cried a youthful voice from under the cowl. 'The decree has just been passed by the Ten, answered Trombin. 'My friend and I are stationed here by the Signors of the Night to exact payment. Gambardella did not clearly understand, but he moved up behind the monk, so that the latter could not get back.
'Your two admirers mean business! said the musician with some amusement. 'Trombin will seem less ridiculous the next time you see him staring at you! 'How can you laugh! asked Ortensia gravely, for she had never before seen men face each other with drawn swords.
But that was not enough; for though the two might drive the little band in that way from street to street, if they but lowered their points a moment their adversaries would spring in upon them, even at some risk. 'We are mild-tempered men, said Trombin at last, 'but we are both fencing-masters, and it will not be prudent to irritate us, or, as I may say, to drive us to extremities.
Stradella recognised it instantly, for he had often sung at the Lateran and knew the man. 'They are of the choir of Saint John's, he whispered to Ortensia. There was rivalry between the Lateran and the Vatican in the matter of music then, as there has been in our own day, and it was no wonder that the musicians themselves had joined in the fray when Don Alberto drew on Trombin and Gambardella.
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