nice am I certain, and for the benefit of the little
stake I have myself in her movements, I would give the best turquoise in
my shop to know whither."

"Canst thou say with certainty, 'twill be this night?"

"Giving no pledge for redemption in the event of mistake, I am so sure,
young cavalier, as to have many unquiet thoughts."

"Enough--I will look to my own interests and to thine."

Jacopo waved his hand in adieu, and pursued his walk up the piazza.

"Had I looked more sharply to the latter, as became one accustomed to
deal with the accursed race," muttered the Hebrew, "it would be a
matter of no concern to me if the girl married a Turk!"

"Hosea," said a mask at his ear; "a word with thee in secret."

The jeweller started, and found that in his zeal he had suffered one to
approach within sound of his voice unseen. The other was in a domino
also, and so well enveloped as to be effectually concealed.

"What would'st thou, Signor Mask?" demanded the wary Jew.

"A word in friendship and in confidence.--Thou hast moneys to lend at
usury?"

"The question had better be put to the Republic's treasury! I have many
stones valued much below their weight, and would be glad to put them
with some one more lucky than myself who will be able to keep them."

"Nay, this will not suffice--thou art known to be abounding in sequins;
one of thy race and riches will never refuse a sure loan with securities
as certain as the laws of Venice. A thousand ducats in thy willing hand
is no novelty"

"They who call me rich, Signor Mask, are pleased to joke with the
unhappy child of a luckless race. That I might have been above
want--nay, that I am not downright needy, may be true; but when they
speak of a thousand ducats, they speak of affairs too weighty for my
burdened shoulders. Were it your pleasure to purchase an amethyst or a
ruby, gallant Signore, there might possibly be dealings between us?"

"I have need of gold, old man, and can spare thee jewels myself at need.
My wants are urgent at this moment, and I have little time to lose in
words--name thy conditions."

"One should have good securities, Signore, to be so peremptory in a
matter of money."

"Thou hast heard that the laws of Venice are not more certain. A
thousand sequins, and that quickly. Thou shalt settle the usury with
thine own conscience."

Hosea thought that this was giving ample room to the treaty, and he
began to listen more seriously.

"Signore," he s