THE PIRATES OF SEGXA. 407 



that you were the friends and allies of Venice ? This 

 you would never have dared to do, but with the ap- 

 proval and connivance of the archducal government." 



The eyes of the pirate sparkled with a strange 

 and significant gleam as the Proveditore recalled the 

 circumstance to his recollection. 



" Know ye not," said he with a grim smile, " whom 

 y<> have to thank for that good office ? 'Twas Dan- 

 sowich In'rnself, who thereby but half fulfilled his 

 vow of vengeance against the republic. And when 

 did it occur ? " he continued with rising fury. " Was 

 it not shortly after the day in which that heartless 

 villain, the Proveditore Marcello, captured the tcoi- 

 wife, and hung her, unoffending and defence- 

 less, unshriven and unabsolved, upon a tree on the 

 Dalmatian shore 1 " 



The Uzcoque paused, overcome by the bitter mem- 

 ories he was calling up, and by the fury and hatred 

 they revived in his breast. His eyes were bloodshot, 

 and the foam stood upon his lips as he concluded. 

 The Proveditore smiled. The favourable moment he 

 had been waiting had arrived, the moment when he 

 doubted not that Dansowich would betray himself. 

 Taking Antonio's drawing from under his cloak, he 

 suddenly unrolled and held it before the Uzcoque, in 

 such a manner that the light of the lantern fell full 

 upon the ghastly countenance of the old woman. 



" Behold ! " said ha " Does that resemble her 

 you speak of?" 



VOL. IV. 2 D 



