390 TEAYEL, ADVEXTUKE, AND SPORT. 



Xever did I see you so ready with your rapier, flash- 

 ing it in people's eyes as though it had been one of 

 your painting brushes." 



"By Heaven, Jacopo," answered Antonio, "that 

 was not I " 



"The saints protect us!" interrupted the gon- 

 dolier. " You are assuredly bewitched, or have lost 

 your senses, signore. To think of your thus denying 

 your own noble daring ! Do, for the blessed Virgin's 

 sake, let us jump out upon the next landing-place, 

 and leave the gondola to the sorceress who has 

 bewitched you. Holy mother ! she is coming this 

 way!" 



A prey to the strangest and most contradictory 

 emotions, Antonio hastily advanced to meet the mys- 

 terious being, whom he could not help regarding with 

 superstitious awe, though he at the same time felt 

 himself drawn towards her by a fascination, against 

 which he found it was in vain to contend. The 

 features of the unknown were again shrouded care- 

 fully in her veil, but her black and brilliant eyes glit- 

 tered through it like nebulous stars. 



" To the house of the Capitano of Fiume," whis- 

 pered she to Antonio, and then retreated, as if anx- 

 ious to avoid further conversation, into the interior 

 of the gondola. 



In the district of Castello, through which Antonio 

 and his strange companion were now passing, the 

 canals and quays were deserted, and not a sound was 



