To that time in Lewis's life belongs this book, The Bravo of Venice;
which was published in 1804, when the writer's age was twenty-nine.
It was written at Inverary Castle, dedicated to the Earl of Moira,
and received as one of the most perfect little romances of its kind,
"highly characteristic of the exquisite contrivance, bold colouring,
and profound mystery of the German school." In 1805 Lewis recast it
into a melodrama, which he called Rugantino.

H.M.



THE BRAVO OF VENICE.



BOOK THE FIRST.



CHAPTER I: VENICE.



It was evening. Multitudes of light clouds, partially illumined by
the moonbeams, overspread the horizon, and through them floated the
full moon in tranquil majesty, while her splendour was reflected by
every wave of the Adriatic Sea. All was hushed around; gently was
the water rippled by the night wind; gently did the night wind sigh