Jacopo laughed; but to the ears of his startled companion the sounds were unnatural.
"The patricians are just, and what they do is right," he said. "They are of illustrious birth, and cannot err! They will do their duty."
"But here is no other duty than that they owe to God, and to the people."
"I have heard of the duty of the people, but little is said of the Senate's."
"Nay, Carlo, we will not refuse them credit when in truth they seek to keep the citizens from harm. This Jacopo is a monster, detested by all, and his bloody deeds have too long been a reproach to Venice. Thou hearest that the patricians are not niggard of their gold, when there is hope of his being taken. Listen! they proclaim again!"
The trumpet sounded, and the proclamation was repeated between the granite columns of the Piazzetta, and quite near to the window occupied by Gelsomina and her unmoved companion.
"Why dost thou mask, Carlo?" she asked, when the officer had done; "it is not usual to be disguised in the palace at this hour."
"They will believe it the Doge, blushing to be an auditor of his own liberal justice, or they may mistake me for one of the Three itself."
"They go by the quay to the arsenal; thence they will take boat, as is customary, for the Rialto."
"Thereby giving this redoubtable Jacopo timely notice to secrete himself! Your judges up above are mysterious when they should be open; and open when they should be secret. I must quit thee, Gelsomina; go, then, back to the room of thy father, and leave me to pass out by the court of the palace."