360 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



and now you say a Jew. What next 1 Why not a 

 Moslem, or perchance an Uzcoque ? " 



At this ominous conclusion, which the stranger 

 uttered in tones of marked significance, the alarmed 

 culprit started to her feet ; and her fierce temper 

 getting the "better of her prudence, she boldly faced 

 the cavalier, exclaiming, in a louder key than be- 

 seemed a courtier's wife 



" And who are you, signor, that dare thus question 

 the lady of an archducal counsellor 1 " 



" Lady ! " he sternly answered, " here I am known 

 to none save your husband's master; but in Venice 

 men call me the Proveditore Marcello." 



And now flashed upon the indignant signora a - 

 fearful reminiscence of Jurissa's unheeded and for- 

 gotten warning, to hide her jewels for a time, and to 

 beware of the Proveditore Marcello. In utter dis- 

 may, and nearly fainting with alarm, she sank upon 

 the sofa, and her eyes expanded into the wide stare 

 of terror as she gazed at the menacing visage of the 

 Venetian noble. Unwilling to expose the conscience- 

 stricken woman before so numerous an assemblage, he 

 seated himself beside her, and in tones inaudible to 

 others, thus whispered in her ear " Lady, but eight 

 days back the jewels that you wear were mine. 

 That peacock was my own design, and made for my 

 daughter by a cunning artificer in Candia. Its like 

 exists not in the world ; for the mould was made by 

 my order, and broken as soon as used. 'Twas mine 



