though guarded by three breastplates; this
eye though surrounded by Egyptian darkness,
could still see to stab sure.

A Ruffian.-Why then did you strike me
down even now?

Aballino-In the hope of being paid for
it; but tho' I saved his life, the scoundrel
gave me not a single ducat.

A_Ruffian —No? So much the better.
But, hark ye, comrade! are you sincere?
Aballino-Despair never lies.

Rosalvo can know no medium: Rosalvo can
never act like common men!-Is it not the
hand of fate, which has led me hither? Who
could have ever dreamed, that the son of the
richest Lord in Naples should have depended
for a beggar's alms on Venitian charity!
I-I, who feel myself possessed of strength of
body and energy of soul fit for executing the
most daring deeds-Behold me creeping in
rags through the streets of this inhospitable
city, and torturing my wits in vain to discover
some means by which I may rescue life from
the jaws of famine! Those men whom my
munificence nourished, who at my table bathed Aballino-My heart would be within
their worthless souls in the choicest wine of reach of your hands, and your daggers would
Cyprus, and glutted themselves with everybe as sharp as now.
kind of delicacy which the globe's four The three dangerous companions again
quarters could supply, those very men now whispered among themselves for a few mo-
deny to my necessity even a miserable crustments, after which they returned their daggers
of mouldy bread. Oh! that is dreadful, into the sheath.
cruel! Cruel of men! cruel of Heaven!'

A Ruffian.-Slave, shouldst thou be a traitor

Come on then,' said one of them; follow us to our home. It were unwise to talk over certain matters in the open street.'

I follow you,' was Abaællino's answer; 'but tremble, should any one of you dare to treatme as a foe. Comrade, forgive me that I gave your ribs somewhat too hard a squeeze just now; I will be your sworn brother in recompence.'

last fetters? Or from what galley hast thou
taken thy departure, without staying to say
adieu?
Abællino folded his arms.

If I be such as you describe,' said he with an air of authority, and in a voice which made his hearers tremble, 'tis for me all the better. Whatever may be my future mode of life, Heaven can have no right to find fault with it, since it was for that it formed and fitted me.'

The five bravos stepped aside, and consulted together; the subject of their conference is easy to be divined. In the meanwhile Abællino remained quiet and indifferent to what was passing.

After a few minutes they again approached him: one, whose countenance was the most ferocious, and whose form exhibited the greatest marks of muscular strength, advanced a few paces before the rest, and addresed Abellino as follows:

Hear me, comrade. In Venice there exist but five banditti; you sce them before you; wilt thou be the sixth? doubt not thou wilt find sufficient employment. My name is Matteo, and I am the father of the band: that sturdy fellow with the red locks is called Baluzzo; he whose eyes twinkle like a cat's, We are on honor,' cried the banditti with is Tomaso, an arch knave I promise you!— one voice; no harm shall happen to you: he 'twas Petrino, whose bones you handled so who does you an injury, shall be to us a foe.roughly to-night; and yon thick lipped ColA fellow of your humor suits us well: follow lossus, who stands next to Cinthia, is named Struzza. Now then you know us all-and since you are a pennyless devil, we are willing to incorporate you in our society; but we must first be assured, that you mean honestly by us.'

He paused; he folded his arms, and sighed. 'Yet will I bear it! I will subunit to my destiny! I will traverse every path, and go through every degree of human wretchedness; and whatever may be my fate, I will be stili myself, and whatever may be my fate, I will still act greatly!-Away then with the Count Rosalvo, whom once all Naples idolized: now-now am I the beggar Abælling! A beggar?-that name stands last in the scale of worldly rank, but first in the lists of the famishing, the outcast, and the unworthy,' Something rustled near him-Abellinous, and fear not.' gazed around. He was aware of the Bravo, whom he had struck to the ground that night. and whom two companions of a similar stamp had now joined. As they advanced, they cast inquiring glances around them. They were in search of some one.

'It is of thee, that they are in search,' said Abællino; then advanced a few paces, and whistled.

Abællino smiled or rather grinned and murmured hoarsely-'I am starving!' 'Answer, fellow! Dost thou mean honestly by us?

That must the event decide.'

And on they went, Abællino marching between two of them. Frequent were the looks of suspicion, which he cast around him; but no ill design was perceptible in the|| banditti. They guided him onwards, till they reached a canal, loosened a gondola, placed themselves in it, and rowed, till they had gained the most remote quarter of Venice. They landed; threaded several bye-streets, and at lengthed at the tour di an house Mark me, hire; the first, suspicion of of inviting appearance-It was opened by a treachery costs you your life. Take shelter young woman, who conducted them into a in the Doge's palace, and girdle yourself 'Tis he!'-he could hear one of them say plain but comfortable chamber; many were round with all the power of the republicdistinctly and in a moment after they ad-the looks of surprise and inquiry which she though clasped in the Doge's arms, and vanced slowly towards him. cast on the bewildered, half-pleased, half-protected by an hundred cannons, still would anxious Aballino, who knew not whither he we murder you! Fly to the high altar; press had been conveyed, and still thought it unsafe the crucifix to your bosom; and even at to confide entirely in the promises of the mid-day, still would we murder you! Think banditti. on this well, fellow, and forget not we are banditti!

together, and seemed to be undecided. Abællino whistled a second time.

Abællino kept his place, but unsheathed his sword. The three unknown (they were masked) stopped a few paces from him.

How now, fellow?' quoth one of them, what is the matter? Why stand you on your guard?'

Abellino.-It is as well that you should be made to keep your distance, for I know you; you are certain honest gentlemen, who live by taking away the lives of others.

The first Ruffian.-Was not your whistling addressed to us?

Aballino-It was

A Ruffian. And what would you of us? Aballino-Hear me! I am a miserable wretch, and starving; give me an alms out of your booty!

A Ruffian-An alms? Ha! ha! ha! By my soul that is whimsical-Alms from us indeed!-Oh! by all means! No doubt you shall have alins in plenty.

Abællino. Or else give me fifty sequins. and I'll bind myself to your service till I shall have worked out my debt.

A Ruffian.-Aye? and pray then who may you be?

Abællino.—A starving wretch, the republic holds none more miserable. Such am I at present; but hereafter-I have powers. kuaves-this arm could pierce an heart,

CHAPTER III.

The Trial of Strength.

SCARCELY were the bravos seated, when Cinthia (for that was the young woman's name) was again summoned to the door; and the company was now increased by two new-comers, who examined their unknown guest from head to foot.

Now then,' cried one of those who had conducted Aballino to this respectable society, let us see what you are like.'

As he said this, he raised a burning lamp from the table, and the light of its flame was thrown full upon Abællino's countenance.

Lord forgive me my sins! screamed Cinthia; ' out upon him! what an ugly hound it is!'

You need not tell me that-but give me some food, and then I'll prate with you as long as you please-at present I am starving! Four and twenty hours have elapsed, since I last tasted nourishment.'

Cinthia now covered a small table with her best provisions, and filled several silver goblets with delicious wine.

If one could but look at him without disgust! murmured Cinthia; if he had but the appearance of something human! Satan must certainly have appeared to his mother, and thence came her child into the world with such a frightful countenance! Ugh! It's an absolute mask, only that I never saw a mask so hideous!'

Aballino heeded her not: he placed himself at the table, and ate and drank, as if he would have satisfied himself for the next six months. The banditti eyed him with looks of satisfaction, and congratulated each other on so valuable an acquisition.

She turned hastily round, and hid her face with her bands. Dreadful was the look, with which Aballino repaid her compliment. 'Knave,' said one of the banditti, nature's own hand has marked you out for an Assassin-Come, pray thee, be frank, and tell us If the reader is curious to know what this how thou hast contrived so long to escape the same Abællino is like, he must picture to himgibbet? In what gaol didst thou leave thyself a stout young fellow, whose limbs perhaps

Possessed of such unfailing weapons, of what immense sums must your robberies have made you master!

Scoundrel!' interrupted Matteo, frowning and offended, among us robbery is unknown. What? dost thou take us for common plunderers, for mere thieves, cut-purses, house-break ers, and villains of that low miserable stamp ?' Perhaps what you wish me to take you for, something worse; for to speak openly, Matteo, villains of that stamp are contented with plundering a purse or a casket, which can easily be filled again; but that which we take from others is a jewel which a man never has but once, and which once stolen can never be replaced. Are we not then a thousand times more atrocious plunderers?'

might have been thought not ill-formed, had | trial of strength. The night was for advanced,!
not the most horrible countenance, that ever or rather the grey of the morning was
was invented by a caricaturist, or that Milton already visible over the sea. The banditti
could have adapted to the ugliness of his separated, and each retired to his chamber.
fallen angels, entirely marred the advantages
of his person. Black and shining, but long
and straight, his hair flew wildly about his
brown neck and yellow face. His mouth was
so wide, that his gums and discolored teeth
were visible, and a kind of convulsive twist
which scarcely ever was at rest, had formed
its expression into an eternal grin. His eye
(for he had but one) was sunk deep into his
head, and little more than the white of it was
visible; and even that little was overshadowed
by the protrusion of his dark and bushy
eye-brow. In the union of his features were
found collected in one hideous assemblage
all the most coarse and uncouth traits, which
ever had been exhibited singly in wooden
cuts; and the observer was left in doubt,
whether this repulsive physiognomy expressed
stupidity of intellect or maliciousness of
heart, or whether it implied them both
together.

CHAPTER IV.
The Daggers.
ABELLINO, this Italian Hercules, all terrible
as he appeared to be, was not long a
member of this society, before his compan-is
ions felt towards him sentiments of the most
unbounded esteem. All loved, all valued
him for his extraordinary talents for a bravo's
trade, to which he seemed peculiarly adapted,
not only by his wonderful strength of body,
but by the readiness of his wit, and his
never-failing presence of mind. Even Cinthia
was inclined to feel some little affection for
him, but-he was really too ugly.

The first thing,' replied Matteo, the first thing necessary is to give us a proof of your strength, for this is of material importance in our undertakings. Are you good at wrestling?'

I know not: try me.'

By the House at Loretto, I think you have a mind to moralize, Aballino ?'

Hark ye, Matteo, only one question; at the day of judgment, which think you will hold his head highest, the thief or the assassin?' Ha! ha! ha!'

Think not, that Abellino speaks thus from want of resolution. Speak but the word, and I murder half the senators of Venice; but still-'

Matteo (as Abellino was soon given to understand) was the captain of this dangerous troop. He was one who carried villany to the highest pitch of refinement, incapable of fear, quick and crafty and troubled with less conscience than an English financier. The Now then I am satisfied!' roared Abal-booty and price of blood which his associates lino, and dashed the still full goblet upon the brought in daily, were always delivered up to ground. Speak, what would you know of him; he gave each man his share, and Fool! know, the Bravo must be above me? I am ready to give you answers.' retained no larger portion for himself, than crediting the nurse's antiquated tales of vice was allotted to the others. The catalogue of and virtue. What is virtue? what is vice? those whom he had dispatched into the other nothing, but such things as forms of governworld, was already too long for him to havement, custom, manners and education have repeated it: many names had slipped his made sacred; and that which men are able to memory; but his greatest pleasure, in his make honorable at one time, it is in their hours of relaxation, was to relate such of power to make dishonorable at another, Cinthia, remove the table-Now then, these murderous anecdotes as he still re-whenever the humor takes them; had not the Abællino, which of us will you undertake ?-membered, in the benevolent intention of senate forbidden us to give our opinions freely whom amongst us dost thou think thou canst inspiring his hearers with a desire to follow respecting the politics of Venice, there would knock down as easy as yon poor dabbler in the his example. His weapons were kept sepa-have been nothing wrong in giving such opinart, Petrino?' rate from the rest, aud occupied a whole ions; and were the senate to declare that it apartment. Here were to be found daggers is right to give such opinions, that which of a thousand different fashions, with guards to-day is thought a crime would be thought and without them; two-three-and four||meritorious to-morrow-then prythee, let us edged. Here were stored air-guns, pistols and blunderbusses; poisons of various kinds and operating in various ways; garments fit for every possible disguise, whether to personate the Monk, the Jew, or the Mendicant, the Soldier, the Senator, or the Gondolier. One day he summoned Abællino to attend, him in his armory.

Which of you?' cried Abællino; all of you together, and half a dozen more such pitiful scoundrels!'—and he sprang from his seat, threw his sword on the table, and measured the strength of his antagonist with his single eye.

The banditti burst into a loud fit of laughter. Now then,' cried Abællino fiercely; now then for the trial!-Why come you not on?'

Fellow,' replied Matteo, take my advice; try first what you can do with me alone, and learn what sort of men you have to manage. Think you we are marrowless boys, or delicate Signors.

Abællino answered him by a scornful laugh -Matteo became furious; his companions shouted aloud, and clapped their hands.

To business!' said Abællino; I'm now in the right humor for sport! Look to yourselves my lads! And in the same instant he collected his forces together, threw the gigantic Matteo over his head as he had been an infant, knocked Struzzo down on the right hand, and Petrino on the left, tumbled Tomaso to the end of the room head over heels, and stretched Bulazzo without animation upon the neighboring benches.

Three minutes elapsed, ere the subdued bravos could recover themselves; loud shouted Abællino, while the astonished Cinthia gazed and trembled at the terrible exhibition. By the blood of St. Januarius,' cried Matteo at length rubbing his battered joints, the fellow is our master. Cinthia, take care to give him our best chamber.'

He must have made a compact with the devil,' grumbled Tomaso, and forced his dislocated wrist back into its socket.

No one seemed willing to hazard a second

Mark me,' said he; thou wilt turn out a brave fellow, that I can see already. It is now time that you should earn that bread for yourself, which hitherto you have owed to our bounty. Look! here hast thou a dagger of the finest stecl; you must charge for its use by the inch. If you plange it only one inch deep into the bosom of his foe, your employer must reward you with only one sequin: if two inches with ten sequins; if three, with twenty; if the whole dagger, you may then name your own price. Here is next a glass poniard; whomever this pierces that man's death is certain. As soon as the blow is given, you must break the dagger in the wound; the flesh will close over the point which has been broken off, and which will keep its quarters till the day of resurrection! Lastly, observe this metallic dagger, its cavity conceals a subtle poison, which, whenever you touch this spring, will immediately infuse death into the veins of him whom the weapon's point hath wounded. Take these daggers; in giving them I present you with a capital, capable of bringing home to you most heavy and most precious interest.

Abællino received the instruments of death, but his hand shook as it grasped them.

have no more of such doubts as these. We are men, as much as are the Doge and his senators, and have reason as much as they have to lay down the law of right and wrong, and to decree what shall be vice, and what shall be virtue.'

Abellino laughed-Matteo proceeded with increased animation.

Perhaps you will tell me that our trade is dishonorable! and what then is the thing called honor? 'tis a word, an empty sound, a mere fantastic creature of the imagination! ask, as you traverse some frequented street, in what honor consists? the usurer will answer -to be honorable is to be rich, and he has most honor, who can heap up the greatest quantity of sequins.' By no means,' cries the voluptuary; 'honor consists in being beloved by every handsome woman, and finding no virtue proof against your attacks.'

How mistaken! interrupts the general; to conquer whole cities, to destroy whole arinies, to ruin whole provinces, that indeed brings real honor the man of learning places his renown in the number of pages which he has either written or read; the tinker in the number of pots and kettles which he has made, or mended; the nun, in the number of good things which she has done, or bad things which she has resisted; the coquette, in the list of her admirers; the republic in the extent of her provinces; and thus my friend, every one thinks that honor consists in something different from the rest. why then should not the Bravo think, that honor consists in reaching the perfection of

And