find myself still alive. There's an infernal adventure for you.

Parozzi.--I shall go mad.

Falieri.--Everything we design is counteracted; the more trouble we
give ourselves, the further we are from the goal.

Memmo.--I confess it seems to me as if Heaven gave us warning to
desist. How say you?

Contarino.--Pshaw, these are trifles! Such accidents should only
serve to sharpen our wits. The more obstacles I encounter, the
firmer is my resolution to surmount them.

Falieri.--Do the banditti know who you are?

Contarino.--No; they are not only ignorant of my name, but suppose
me to be a mere instrument of some powerful man, who has been
injured by the ducal confederates.

Memmo.--Well, Contarino, in my mind you should thank Heaven that you
have escaped so well.

Falieri.--But since he is an absolute stranger in Venice, how could
Flodoardo discover the lurking place of the banditti?

Contarino.--I know not; probably by mere accident like myself, but
by the Power that made me, he shall pay dearly for this wound.

Falieri.--Flodoardo is rather too hasty in making himself remarked.