1826.] The Rat-Trap. 6S 



The legate looked directly upon the countenance of the robber who 

 thus addressed him — there was malice in it — revenge, and triumph, but no 

 token of recognition. " The death of Sansovino's fixed !" he said, " it is 

 impossible." 



" We tell thee of it," smiled the second robber in command. " Go — 

 betray us — found thy fortune, it is made, if thou hast power to save thy 

 chief." 



" But doth he not believe himself secure ?" demanded Sansovino. 



" He does," returned the outlaw. " Pride ever thinks so — and at last 

 finds that it is mistaken. At this moment he plots against the lives of 

 those who before midnight will be the masters of his own destiny. He 

 dreams that he has conquered. That his name shall live with posterity. 

 The reformer of abuses— the punisher of crimes which no other mind 

 had dared but to enquire into. And yet, even now, death hangs over 

 him I — ^pursues him in his palace — in his gardens — in his bed — it pur- 

 sues, and will be with him." 



This threat quieted the cardinal's doubt almost as to present danger : 

 but it glanced at a certain peril, though remote, of which he had no 

 conception. " Is the legate then now at Ravenna?" he demanded. 



" He is at Ravenna," replied the outlaw. " And Anthio Altieri is at 

 Ravenna — and Ippolito di Marialva is at Ravenna — and Matteo Forelli — 

 and how many others whom he lias disgraced and injured I — and soon 

 there will be more there, some to the accomplishment of their safety 

 and of their revenge." 



" And what of them ?" said the seeming curate. " What seek they but 

 their ruin ? Have not lives enough already paid the forfeit of such rash 

 attempts ? The very guards that stand without the gate of Sansovino's 

 palace — 



" Are true — and what shall they aid him against the traitors that he 

 has within it ? Traitors who dare not take his life — thou says'st well — - 

 but who have sold it. What ! it is impossible ? Cannot be ? — Thine own 

 eyes shall be thy judge — against the oath of tliy calling, thou shalt be 

 party to a worthy action. Thou shalt aid in freeing Ravenna from a 

 tyrant ; and see how he, whose cold word has been the death of so many, 

 will endure, when it comes to the trial, the sight of death himself! Give 

 me the bowl !" continued Pezzali, " and fill every man his cup !" dashing 

 his dagger as he spoke the words deep into the board that stood before 

 him. " A deed like ours deserves a worthy historian ; and fortune has 

 sent this clerk to-night to us to be the very he. Now — take the goblet 

 then I — nay, palter one moment, and I cleave thee to the chine. Thou 

 shalt go with us — in our company — to this very adventure. Thou shalt 

 bear the taper which lights us to Sansovino's chamber ; the torch which 

 fires his palace when our labour is complete. Come then ! Drink we, I 

 say every man, to the succes of our glorious undertaking ! — To the blow 

 that delivers Ravenna from its heaviest pestilence — its curse ! — and may 

 every future tyrant of Italy meet the same full measure and reward of 

 fortune which this night waits upon the legate Sansovino !" 



Every sword was unsheathed — every cup brimmed and raised to give 

 the health welcome. The cardinal comprehended little ; but, as he 

 again cast his eye round the chamber, he saw, betide what might, 

 his preparation was complete. " I drink," said he, as he took the 

 goblet, " since it must be so — to the blow which shall free Ravenna 



