THE ADRIATIC BRIDE. 



ran in crowds to the harbour, and had already seized several vessels, 

 to go in pursuit of Ziani, and bring him back, when they saw his 

 'ley returning, and hailed its approach with an universal shout of 



*** awakened as out of a dream, and looked with surprise 

 around him. " Do you hear your people call you?" asked Mala- 

 piero. " Do not' you hear them requiring peace, and happiness of 

 you r r*)*fcf f"*fTft. ?*r*vt&v/ fjffi 



But Ziani was silent his eyes fixed on vacancy . Daponte then 



S'zed his hand, saying, " Have you forgotten Giovanna's last words ? 

 .all she have sacrificed her life in vain ?" 



Ziani did not answer. He looked fervently up to heaven, while 

 the big tears rolled down his manly cheeks, and stepped silently into 

 the boat which was to take him ashore. 



The people pressed round him when he landed, crying out, " Ac- 

 cept the crown, Ziani ! take the crown you must be our Doge !" 

 They kissed his dress and hands threw themselves down before 

 him -, mothers, with their children, clasped his knees ; the tumult 

 was excessive. No sooner did they perceive old Daponte, than 

 several voices cried out, " There is Vitali's murderer ! Down with 

 him and his daughter ! They will also tear Ziani from us !" A 

 number rushed forward to seize him. Ziani then proudly raised his 

 head, and demanded in silence 



fl Whoever dares to lay hand on Daponte," he said with dignified 

 firmness, " is a dead man ! I am now your Doge, and will judge 

 him myself. You have chosen me to be your chief, I acquiesce in 

 your wish, but be on your guard, for 1 ascend the throne, with a 

 heart dead to the tender feelings of humanity !" 



He was now conducted in triumph, amid the shouts and acclama- 

 tions of the populace, to the palace of the Senate, where he informed 

 the electors that he was ready to accept the crown. Thus did Ziani 

 ascend the throne but his heart remained desolate ! 



Daponte gave himself willingly up to justice. Ziani submitted his 

 case to the Senate, and Malapiero defended the old man so successfully, 

 that he was acquitted by this august assembly, in consideration of his 

 daughter's noble sacrifice. Daponte then became Ziani's most faithful 

 attendant. 



By the firm and wise measures of the new Doge, the republic was 

 soon restored to peace and tranquillity, and again attained its former 

 pitch of glory. The people, who idolized their present sovereign, 

 but ever considered his murdered predecessor as a martyr to intem- 

 perate fury, now loudly expressed their wishes that Ziani should 

 unite himself to the beautiful Bianca, Vitali's daughter, and thus 

 endeavour to obliterate from her mind the melancholy fate of her 

 father. His friends also pressed him to marry, hoping that the deep 

 grief which constantly preyed on his mind might be soothed by 

 female tenderness. But Ziani, who lived like a hermit in his own 

 palace, remained inattentive to the wishes of his friends and the 

 people, and gave Bianca's hand to Malapiero, who already possessed 

 her affections. 



During this time, the Emperor Frederick had never ceased perse- 



M.M. No. 86. N 



