Intoxicated with the wildness of his hopes, he rushed out of the garden. He summoned a gondolier, threw himself into the boat, and hastened to the dwelling of Cinthia, where the inhabitants already were folded in the arms of sleep.
CHAPTER VI.
ROSABELLA, THE DOGE’S LOVELY NIECE.
“Hark, comrade,” said Matteo the next morning to Abellino; “to-day thou shalt make thy first step in our profession.”
“To-day!” hoarsely murmured Abellino; “and on whom am I to show my skill?”
“Nay, to say truth, ’tis but a woman; but one must not give too difficult a task to a young beginner. I will myself accompany you, and see how you conduct yourself in the first trial.”
“Hum!” said Abellino, and measured Matteo with his eye from head to foot.
“To-day, about four o’clock, thou shalt follow me to Dolabella’s gardens, which are situated on the south side of Venice. We must both be disguised, you understand. In these gardens are excellent baths; and after using the baths, the Doge’s niece, the lovely Rosabella of Corfu, frequently walks without attendants. And then—you conceive me?”
“And you will accompany me?”
“I will be a spectator of your first adventure; ’tis thus I deal by every one.”
“And how many inches deep must I plunge my dagger?”