president glared at me again like a tiger who comes back to his
victim.

"You shall pay for it all, and it is but justice that you
should," he said. "You, an upstart adventurer and foreigner,
have dared to raise your eyes in love to the grand daughter of a
Doge of Venice who was already betrothed to the heir of the
Loredans. He who enjoys such privileges must pay a price for
them."

"It cannot be higher than they are worth," said I.

"You will tell us that when you have made a part payment," said
he. "Perhaps your spirit may not be so proud by that time.
Matteo, you will lead this prisoner to the wooden cell. To-night
is Monday. Let him have no food or water, and let him be led
before the tribunal again on Wednesday night. We shall then
decide upon the death which he is to die."

It was not a pleasant prospect, and yet it was a reprieve. One
is thankful for small mercies when a hairy savage with a
blood-stained knife is standing at one's elbow. He dragged me
from the room and I was thrust down the stairs and back into my
cell. The door was locked and I was left to my reflections.

My first thought was to establish connection with my neighbour in
misfortune. I waited until the steps had died away, and then I
cautiously drew aside the two boards and peeped through. The
light was very dim, so dim that I could only just discern a
figure huddled in the corner, and I could hear the low whisper of