'What if, in a more impious mood, he had dared to raise his hand against thyself?'
'Ha! He would be made to die—not pleasantly.'
'Is to be broken on the wheel pleasant?'
'Well, the dog shall hang.'
'Still for so little? Why, were he Cain he could pay no higher. Valuest thy life, then, at a pinch of gold dust? This is to put a premium on regicide.'
The Duke bit his lip, and frowned, and laughed vexedly.
'How now, Bernardino?'
'Lord, I am young—a child, and without comparative experience. I pray thee put this rogue aside, while we consider.'
Galeazzo waved his hand, and the Jew, staring and stumbling, was removed. Another, a creature gaunt and wolfish, took his place. What had he done? He had trodden on a hare in her form, and, half-killing, had despatched her. Why? asked Bembo. To still her telltale cries, intimated the wretched creature. Galeazzo's eyes gleamed; but still he called upon Heaven to sentence. In such a case? Men glanced at one another half terrified. Any portent, even of good, is fearful in its rising. Bembo turned to the kneeling clerk.
'Come, Master Scrivener! A little offence, in any case, and with humanity to condone it.'