hither, that I may bless thee." Gelsomina sprang forward, and knelt at
the feet of her sovereign. Father Anselmo never uttered a clearer or
more fervent benediction than that which fell from the lips of the
Prince of Venice. He raised the daughter of the prison-keeper, and
motioned for both his visitors to withdraw. Gelsomina willingly
complied, for her heart was already in the cell of Jacopo, in the
eagerness to communicate her success; but the Carmelite lingered to cast
a look behind, like one better acquainted with the effects of worldly
policy, when connected with the interests of those who pervert
governments to the advantage of the privileged. As he passed through the
door, however, he felt his hopes revive, for he saw the aged prince,
unable any longer to suppress his feelings, hastening towards his still
silent companion, with both hands extended, eyes moistening with tears,
and a look that betrayed the emotions of one anxious to find relief in
human sympathies.

CHAPTER XXXI.

"On--on--
It Is our knell, or that of Venice.--On."
MARINO FALIERO.

Another morning called the Venetians to their affairs. Agents of the
police had been active in preparing the public mind, and as the sun rose
above the narrow sea, the squares began to fill. There were present the
curious citizen in his, cloak and cap, bare-legged laborers in wondering
awe, the circumspect Hebrew in his gaberdine and beard, masked
gentlemen, and many an attentive stranger from among the thousands who
still frequented that declining mart. It was rumored that an act of
retributive justice was about to take place, for the peace of the town
and the protection of the citizen. In short, curiosity, idleness, and
revenge, with all the usual train of human feelings, had drawn together
a multitude eager to witness the agonies of a fellow-creature.

The Dalmatians were drawn up near the sea, in a manner to inclose the
two granite columns of the Piazzetta. Their grave and disciplined faces
fronted inwards towards the African pillars, those well known landmarks
of death. A few grim warriors of higher rank paced the flags before the
troops, while a dense crowd filled the exterior space. By special favor
more than a hundred fishermen were grouped within the armed men,
witnesses that their class had revenge. Between the lofty pedestals of
St. Theodore and the winged lion lay the block and the axe, the basket
and the saw