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"The concern is weighty, and it demands deliberation." "He complains of our tardiness already, and not without show of reason. It is five years since the claim was first preferred." "Signor Gradenigo, it is for the vigorous and healthful to display their activity the aged and the tottering must move with caution.
"The gates of the Gradenigo palace would open of themselves, at the latest period of the night, to receive such a guest. Besides, the hour is most suited to the convenience of one of thy quality who would breathe the fresh evening air on the canals. Were I to limit thee to hours and minutes, some truant wish of the moment some innocent caprice of thy sex and years, might go ungratified. Ah!
"Caesar himself has work, and our oppression Exceeds what we expected." "Didst thou note him that left me?" eagerly demanded the Signer Gradenigo. "I did." "Enough so to recognise form and countenance?" "'Twas a fisherman of the Lagunes, named Antonio." The senator dropped the extended limb, and regarded the Bravo with a look in which surprise and admiration were equally blended.
It is probable that the appeal of Giacomo Gradenigo would not have produced much effect on the flinty nature of the Hebrew, who had all the failings of a man proscribed by opinion; but having recovered from his surprise, he began to explain to his companion his apprehensions on account of Donna Violetta, whose marriage, it will be remembered, was a secret to all but the witnesses and the Council of Three, when to his great joy he found that the gold was wanting to advance his own design of removing her to some secret place.
"'Tis the wantonness of security. Let it pass, for all that serveth to amuse suppresseth turbulent thoughts. Shall we now see his highness, Signori?" "You forget the fisherman," gravely observed the Signor Gradenigo. "Your honor sayeth true. What a head for business hath he! Nothing that is useful escapeth his ready mind."
I am glad your trouble hath no other source, for I had heard that the young heir of your house hath shown a prodigal disposition of late, and I feared that matter might have come to your knowledge, as one of the council, that a father might not wish to learn." The selfish features of the Signor Gradenigo instantly underwent a change.
The signory of the proudest republic in the world held that their family names were of sufficiency to which titles could add nothing, and the Venetian who called himself Loredano, or Gradenigo, or Morosini, or Renier, or Rezzonico did not ask to be called differently.
Such were the reflections of the Signor Gradenigo, as he slowly returned towards his closet, after a ceremonious leave-taking with his guest, in the outer apartment. Closing the door, he commenced pacing the small apartment with the step and eye of a man who again mused with some anxiety.
"With this admission, may I ask the Signor Gradenigo to give ear to my petition?" "Thy little requests are ever welcome. I would merely observe, that generous and ardent temperaments sometimes regard a distant object so steadily, as to overlook others that are not only nearer, and perhaps of still more urgent importance, but more attainable.
Jacopo was again in the attic of the Doge's palace, accompanied by the gentle Gelsomina. As they threaded the windings of the building, he recounted to the eager ear of his companion all the details connected with the escape of the lovers; omitting, as a matter of prudence, the attempt of Giacomo Gradenigo on the life of Don Camillo.
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