"That must the event decide."

"Mark me, knave; the first suspicion of treachery costs you your
life. Take shelter in the Doge's palace, and girdle yourself round
with all the power of the Republic--though clasped in the Doge's
arms, and protected by a hundred cannons, still would we murder you!
Fly to the high altar; press the crucifix to your bosom, and even at
mid-day, still would we murder you. Think on this well, fellow, and
forget not we are banditti!"

"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."

Abellino 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 such a valuable acquisition.

If the reader is curious to know what this same Abellino was like,