THE ADRIATIC BRIDE. 157 



victory. The news of it had reached Venice before them. The Pope 

 was overjoyed, for he plainly saw, that after this mighty blow, which 

 had thrown the Imperial Prince into their hands, the Emperor must 

 now humiliate himself before him ; in order therefore to celebrate the 

 return of the victor, he manned a number of vessels and sailed from the 

 harbour, accompanied by the Senate and the higher order of the 

 Clergy, to meet the Doge. 



Whilst the warriors of Ziani's fleet were rejoicing and shouting, he 

 stood thoughtful and melancholy on the deck of his vessel, looking 

 down silently on the sea ! Malapiero drew near him, and seizing his 

 hand said: " My Ziani, are you now satisfied with your fate ?" 



Ziani looked at him mournfully ; " I am," he answered, " but do 

 you know what day this is?" 



It was the feast of the assumption, the same day on which, two 

 years before, Giovanna had buried herself in the waves. " See," 

 continued Ziani, " we shall soon reach the sacred spot where the 

 angelic girl sought refuge in the arms of death, from the wild frenzy 

 of my passion ; and now without any bridal wreath, adorned only 

 with the cold laurel, I am passing like a stormy cloud over the watery 

 couch of my beloved Giovanna, who lies slumbering there, the sleep 

 of eternal rest ! " 



Malapiero endeavoured to divert his mind by conversing with him 

 on the important advantages of the victory, and ventured to mention 

 the name of the beautiful Duchess Valdrada. But Ziani shook his 

 head calmly, and said ; " I plainly see that you are all calculating 

 falsely ! My heart, filled with the eternally beloved and sacred 

 image of my Giovanna, and love for my country, finds no place for 

 any other feeling." 



They now perceived at a distance the splendidly adorned vessels, 

 which were conducting the Pope and his magnificent suite to meet 

 the conquerors. The mariners mutually saluted each other with 

 shouts of joy, and as the vessels drew up together, the Pope went on 

 board the Doge's galley, where he embraced him before all the 

 people. 



" You are the greatest hero of your time," said Alexander, " the 

 pride of your country, and the support of the Church ! I am come 

 to bring you blessings and thanks ! " 



Ziani sunk on his knee before him, but the Pope, after placing his 

 hands upon him, raised him up, and continued : " But I bring you 

 also my son, the promised reward ; receive from my hand Valdrada's 

 betrothing ring ; she will salute the victor as his bride !" On saying 

 which, he presented an elegant gold ring to the Doge. 



Ziani took it, but his hand trembled, and his eyes, which were 

 raised towards Heaven, filled with tears. " Do you know this spot 

 in the sea ? " he asked his friend in a whisper. Malapiero answered 

 by a mournful inclination of the head, for the ships were now 

 stationary, exactly on that part where the waves had closed over the 

 lovely form of Giovanna. Ziani at length recovered himself, and 

 turning to the Pope, said : " The reward you offer me, Holy Father, 

 is far greater than I merit ; but I am already betrothed ! here lies 

 my bride ! permit me, in your presence, to affiance myself once more 



