THK ADRIATIC BRIDE. 149 



but even amongst these, were fathers and sons, who had lost those 

 that were dear to them, so that the tumult continued to increase. 

 Vitali determined therefore to risk every thing, and confiding in the 

 love of the people, who had ever been devoted to him, he left his 

 palace, and endeavoured to tranquillize their mind. With stern 

 dignity, arrayed in his ducal dress and ornaments, he appeared in the 

 midst of the populace who were preparing to attack his palace. 



" Here am I, my children !" said he ; "judge me if you will, it is 

 not I, but God who hath sent the angel of death amongst us!" 



At the sight of his venerable figure, the people drew back an 

 instant, and just at that moment Ziani and Malapiero arrived, who 

 endeavoured to appease the enraged multitude. But several voices 

 again cried out ; ' ' down from the throne ! No mercy for the traitor ! 

 down with him !" Suddenly a voice was heard from behind, crying 

 out, " make way! make way! where is the man that has murdered my 

 wife and children ?" With these words, an enraged old man pressed 

 forward from the crowd, seized the Doge with the fury of a maniac, 

 and plunged a dagger in his heart ! The unfortunate Vitali sunk a 

 victim to his fate, while the assassin walked unimpeded through the 

 astonished crowd, holding aloft his bloody dagger. 



But Ziani immediately recognized him to be old Daponte, he 

 hastily pursued him through the deserted streets, and seizing him 

 by the arm, cried: " wretched man, where is your daughter?" 



Daponte looked at him with frenzied laugh ; " has death then 

 spared you?" said he: "well, come then, I will lead you to your 

 bride !" 



He then, without giving any further answer to his questions, con- 

 ducted him through several by-streets, to a solitary church-yard. In 

 a corner of it, on a wretched heap of straw, lay Giovanna struggling 

 with death. Daponte, when his wife and other children had 

 breathed their last, quitted his hut, and half frantic, had brought his 

 daughter to the cemetery. In the madness of despair, he had wished 

 to put an end to the torments of his cherished child, and to his own 

 existence, and for that purpose, had gone into the city to procure a 

 dagger. He was there hurried along with the throng of the enraged 

 populace, and nearly in a state of frenzy, had struck the victim of his 

 vengeance. 



Ziani threw himself on his knees by Giovanna, and called loudly 

 on her beloved name. She opened her eyes, and recognized him, 

 and while a sweet smile played over her pale, disfigured countenance, 

 she made a sign to him to leave her. H e thought not on the fright- 

 ful danger of contagion, but raising up the diseased object of his 

 affections, he carried her to his palace, while Daponte followed. 



Ziani used every means in his power to save his Giovanna; he 

 never left her bed, and watched over her beloved existence, as 

 though he would scare away the monster that would rob him of it. 

 His care was crowned with success. The ferocity of death was sub- 

 dued by such affection, and while himself and Daponte miraculously 

 avoided all infection, Giovanna slowly recovered. 



The assassination of the Doge, had thrown all well minded people 

 into the deepest affliction. The violent death of their chiefs, had 



