392 The Cap of Honours. [Ocr. 
down to consume:the victim. The fiashes were so vivid, that the Italian 
thought that he saw them actually blaze, and felt their heat—he set 
down the cup with a trembling hand. « Why, friend, what is the matter 
now? you look as white as my main-sail. Come, try my wine.” He 
held up a large golden flaggon. “ The cup, the cup!” muttered the 
Italian; “I dare not touch it—look in the inside.” ** Folly!” ‘said the 
bold boatman, “ you have not had wine enough to bring back your senses 
yet. My cup, what could you see in it but the reflection of your own 
frightened face? its inside is as smooth as the queen’s hand—look 
again!” The Italian still drew back, but the strong hand of his enter- 
tainer was suddenly pressed upon his forehead, and he was forced to 
glance in. The inside was, to his wonder, perfectly smooth—there 
were absolutely no sculptures or figures of any kind to be seen. While 
he was still gazing, a dash of rich Burgundy-coloured wine was flung into 
it from the flaggon held above his head, and the cup was all but forced 
upon him. He swallowed some drops—the flavour struck him as incom- 
parable. < This is no native wine,” said the Italian, almost breathless ; 
«but, wherever it has been grown, it is the finest I have tasted in the 
whole course of my life. Where does it come from? what is its name ? 
or where can any more of it be had for love or money ? By San Januario, 
for colour, fragrance and flavour, I never saw its equal.” He now drank 
deep and delighted. 
«« Why, Mr. Advocate, since you have found the use of your tongue 
at last, I will treat you as a friend. and tell you, that where this flaggon 
came from is a profound secret. But don’t take me for a churl about a 
bottle of wine. You have only to give me your address in Naples, to 
have a little consignment of it sent to you whenever you want it. The 
truth is, that the wine is first-rate, and first-rate we have always found 
it for our business. Malatesta’s vintage is as well-known in the court of 
Naples as the king’s countenance, and, between ourselves, I have 
known them go together. Now, for a health to all your hopes and mine, 
and let us talk of business.” They drank to each other. “I must 
drink no more,” said the Italian, “ it gets into both head and heart. I 
feel myself fit for any thing now. That wine is absolute temptation.” — 
«J don’t know that if we were thinking a hundred years, we could find 
a better name for it,” said Malatesta, ina half whisper. “ But to your 
affairs. This fellow who has supplanted you—” 
« He is deputy-treasurer of the first Royal Tribunal.” 
« And of course, as in Naples the principal never does any thing, 
the deputy is the acting man. A cheat, too, we may fairly presume.” 
« No; I believe, honest, as the world goes.” 
“«‘ Well, but if he was supposed to filch the tribunal money, the 
lawyers seldom like to have the tables turned upon them, and be under 
apprehension of being robbed. Now a little insinuation to that effect— 
nothing direct—but a mere hint, a look, a gesture, has done good ser- 
vice before our time; and‘besides; ten*t one but the fellow is, from his 
trade,—I beg your pardon, Mr. Advocate,—not remarkably clean-handed 
already. Now listen tome. I happen to know the very man. I ‘know 
him to have fingered the public money ; and we may be pretty safe in. 
saying, that when once a man begins with that, he is a lon time before. 
he tires of the amusement. Denounce him to the minister, and you. 
are sure of his place.” ( hee ee ah ee 
The Italian’s countenance flushed with the thought, and he lifted bis 
