good right, to any man who had dared to speak to him, but in Venice every
man who lodged in the Fondaco was forbid the use of weapons, and he had
heard tell of Anselmo Giustiniani that he, unlike the rest of his noble
race, who were benevolent men and patrons of learning, albeit he was a
prudent statesman and serviceable to the city, was a stern and violent
man. This much in truth a man might read in his gloomy black eyes; and
many a stranger, for all he were noble and a Knight, who had fallen out
with a Venetian Signor of his degree had vanished forever, none knew
whither.

As we read these words the blood faded from Ann's cheek; but I set my
teeth, for I may confess that Herdegen's ways and words roused my wrath.
In Ann's presence I could, to be sure, hide my ire; but when I was alone
I struck my right fist into my left hand and asked of myself whether a
man or a woman were the vainer creature? For what was it that still drew
my brother to that maid who had ever pursued him and the object of his
love with cruel hate--so strongly, indeed, that he would have been ready
to cherish and comfort her--but joy at finding himself--a mere townbred
Junker--preferred above that grand nobleman? For my part, I plainly saw
that Ursula was playing the same game again as she had carried on here
with Herdegen and the Brandenburger. She spoke the man she hated fair
before the jealous Marchese, only to rouse that potent noble's fury
against my brother.

After all this my heart rejoiced when we received Herdegen's first letter
written from Genoa, nay, on board of the galleon which was to carry him,
Sir Franz and Eppelein to Cyprus. In this he made known that he had
departed from Venice without let or hindrance, and he bid us farewell
with such good cheer, and love, and hope, that Ann and I forgot and
forgave with all our hearts everything that had made us wroth. This last