358 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



The golden hilt of his rapier, and a gold chain and 

 medallion round his neck, were his only ornaments. 

 His features were large, regular, and grand, and the 

 gaze of his full dark eyes serene, yet firm and potent ; 

 his complexion pale, and contrasting strongly with 

 the dark beard which circled his visage like a frame. 

 His high and massive forehead, and well-closed lips, 

 had a character of thought and decision, while his 

 mien and tread were those of one long accustomed to 

 authority. He seemed a man born after his time, 

 and worthy to have lived and acted in the high and 

 palmy days of Venice. After attending the arch- 

 duke to the steps of the dais at the upper end of the 

 hall, he made his bow, and began to pace the floor in 

 seeming abstraction from the gay scene around him. 

 Arrested in his progress by the numerous group which, 

 after saluting the archduke, had again collected around 

 the counsellor's lady, he paused in returning con- 

 sciousness ; and, looking for the cause of such un- 

 wonted attraction, was enabled, by his lofty stature, 

 to obtain a glimpse of the jewelled lady within the 

 circle. Her features were unknown to him ; but 

 when his careless gaze fell upon the rare ornament 

 which crowned her redundant tresses, his countenance 

 became suddenly darkened by some strong emotion. 

 Again he looked more earnestly, and with increasing 

 wonder and curiosity. Controlling, by a sudden 

 effort, all outward evidence of feeling, he watched his 

 opportunity, and at length penetrating within the 



