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Updated: May 9, 2025
There were in all nine masks: two were engaged with the driver; one stood at the head of the carriage-horses; a third guarded the well-trained steeds of the party; three others, besides Zicci and the one who had first accosted Isabel, stood apart by a carriage drawn to the side of the road.
With these words he withdrew himself from her embrace, and had gained the outer door just as Gionetta came from the kitchen with her hands full of such cheer as she had managed to collect together. Zicci laid his hand on the old woman's arm. "Signor Glyndon," said he, "loves Isabel; he may wed her. You love your mistress: plead for him. Disabuse her, if you can, of any caprice for me.
The mask retired from the door, and another and yet taller form presented itself. "Be calm, Isabel di Pisani," said he, in a low voice; "with me you are indeed safe!" He lifted his mask as he spoke, and showed the noble features of Zicci. "Be calm, be hushed; I can save you." He vanished, leaving Isabel lost in surprise, agitation, and delight.
"Nay, signor," answered the Prince, courteously, but with a sinister smile on his countenance, "would it not be better for your friend to join us? An Englishman is welcome everywhere; and even were he a Dutchman, your friendship would invest his presence with attraction. Pray his attendance, we would not spare you even for a moment." Zicci bowed.
"Your friend and I have business together," replied Zicci, as he wheeled his powerful and fiery steed to the side of Glyndon; "but it will be soon transacted. Perhaps you, sir, will ride on to your hotel." "Alone?" "There is no danger," returned Zicci, with a slight expression of disdain in his voice. "None to me, but to Glyndon?" "Danger from me? Ah! perhaps you are right."
"I know not; but there is a tone in that foreigner's voice that I never can mistake, so clear, and yet so hollow; when I hear it I almost fancy there is such a thing as conscience. However, we must rid ourselves of an impertinent. Mascari, Signor Zicci hath not yet honored our poor house with his presence. He is a distinguished stranger, we must give a banquet in his honor."
"Tell me," she said, turning partially aside, "tell me, have you seen, do you know, a stranger in this city, one of whom wild stories are afloat?" "You speak of Zicci. I have seen him; I know him! And you? Ah! he, too, would be my rival, he, too, would bear thee from me!"
"Speak!" exclaimed Isabel, in jealous suspicion of his silence. "Speak, if thou lovest me." "I dare not tell thee so; I will not yet say I love thee." "Then what matter my fate?" said Isabel, turning pale and shrinking from his side. "Leave me; I fear no danger. My life, and therefore my honor, is in mine own hands." "Be not so mad!" said Zicci. "Hark! do you hear the neigh of my steed?
"Hush!" interrupted Zicci, gently, and with a smile of singular but melancholy sweetness: "have you earned the right to ask me these questions? The clays of torture and persecution are over; and a man may live as he pleases, and talk as it suits him, without fear of the stake and the rack. Since I can defy persecution, pardon me if I do not succumb to curiosity." Glyndon blushed, and rose.
I will win this girl, if I die for it. Who laughed? Mascari, didst thou laugh?" "I, your Excellency, I laugh?" "It sounded behind me," said the Prince, gazing round. It was the day on which Zicci had told Glyndon that he should ask for his decision in respect to Isabel, the third day since their last meeting. The Englishman could not come to a resolution.
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