The Bravo | Page 9

as carriages are seen standing in the courts of
houses built on more solid ground. "He who would find favor with
Jupiter must put his own shoulder to the wheel, thou knowest, my
friend."
The eye of Gino brightened, and he was voluble in his expression of
thanks. They had ascended to the first floor, and were already deep in a
suite of gloomy apartments, before the gratitude and professional pride
of the gondolier were exhausted.
"Aided by a powerful arm and a fleet gondola, thy chance will be as
good as another's, Gino," said Don Camillo, closing the door of his
cabinet on his servant; "at present thou mayest give some proof of zeal
in my service, in another manner. Is the face of a man called Jacopo
Frontoni known to thee?"
"Eccellenza!" exclaimed the gondolier, gasping for breath.
"I ask thee if thou knowest the countenance of one named Frontoni?"
"His countenance, Signore!"
"By what else would'st thou distinguish a man?"
"A man, Signor' Don Camillo!"
"Art thou mocking thy master, Gino? I have asked thee if thou art
acquainted with the person of a certain Jacopo Frontoni, a dweller here
in Venice?"
"Eccellenza, yes."
"He I mean has been long remarked by the misfortunes of his family;
the father being now in exile on the Dalmatian coast, or elsewhere."

"Eccellenza, yes."
"There are many of the name of Frontoni, and it is important that thou
should'st not mistake the man. Jacopo, of that family, is a youth of
some five-and-twenty, of an active frame and melancholy visage, and
of less vivacity of temperament than is wont, at his years."
"Eccellenza, yes."
"One who consorts but little with his fellows, and who is rather noted
for the silence and industry with which he attends to his concerns, than
for any of the usual pleasantries and trifling of men of his cast. A
certain Jacopo Frontoni, that hath his abode somewhere near the
arsenal?"
"Cospetto! Signor' Duca, the man is as well known to us gondoliers as
the bridge of the Rialto! Your eccellenza has no need to trouble
yourself to describe him."
Don Camillo Monforte was searching among the papers of a secretaire.
He raised his eyes in some little amazement at the sally of his
dependant, and then he quietly resumed his occupation.
"If thou knowest the man, it is enough."
"Eccellenza, yes. And what is your pleasure with this accursed
Jacopo?"
The Duke of Sant' Agata seemed to recollect himself. He replaced the
papers which had been deranged, and he closed the secretaire.
"Gino," he said, in a tone of confidence and amity, "thou wert born on
my estates, though so long trained here to the oar in Venice, and thou
hast passed thy life in my service."
"Eccellenza, yes."
"It is my desire that thou should'st end thy days where they began. I
have had much confidence in thy discretion hitherto, and I have

satisfaction in saying it has never failed thee, notwithstanding thou hast
necessarily been a witness of some exploits of youth which might have
drawn embarrassment on thy master were thy tongue less disposed to
silence."
"Eccellenza, yes."
Don Camillo smiled; but the gleam of humor gave way to a look of
grave and anxious thought.
"As thou knowest the person of him I have named, our affair is simple.
Take this packet," he continued, placing a sealed letter of more than
usual size into the hand of the gondolier, and drawing from his finger a
signet ring, "with this token of thy authority. Within that arch of the
Doge's palace which leads to the canal of San Marco, beneath the
Bridge of Sighs, thou wilt find Jacopo. Give him the packet; and,
should he demand it, withhold not the ring. Wait his bidding, and return
with the answer."
Gino received this commission with profound respect, but with an awe
he could not conceal. Habitual deference to his master appeared to
struggle with deep distaste for the office he was required to perform;
and there was even some manifestation of a more principled reluctance,
in his hesitating yet humble manner. If Don Camillo noted the air and
countenance of his menial at all, he effectually concealed it.
"At the arched passage of the palace, beneath the Bridge of Sighs," he
coolly added; "and let thy arrival there be timed, as near as may be, to
the first hour of the night."
"I would, Signore, that you had been pleased to command Giorgio and
me to row you to Padua!"
"The way is long. Why this sudden wish to weary thyself?"
"Because there is no Doge's palace, nor any Bridge of Sighs, nor any
dog of Jacopo Frontoni among the meadows."

"Thou hast little relish for this duty; but thou must know that what the
master