Chapter 6

"Caesar himself has work, and our oppression
Exceeds what we expected."
SHAKSPEARE.

"Didst thou note him that left me?" eagerly demanded the Signer
Gradenigo.

"I did."

"Enough so to recognise form and countenance?"

"'Twas a fisherman of the Lagunes, named Antonio."

The senator dropped the extended limb, and regarded the Bravo with a
look in which surprise and admiration were equally blended. He resumed
his course up and down the room, while his companion stood waiting his
pleasure in an attitude so calm as to be dignified. A few minutes were
wasted in this abstraction.

"Thou art quick of sight, Jacopo!" continued the patrician, breaking the
pause--"Hast thou had dealings with the man?"

"Never."

"Thou art certain it is--"

"Your eccellenza's foster-brother."

"I did not inquire into thy knowledge of his infancy and origin, but of
his present state," returned the Signor Gradenigo, turning away to
conceal his countenance from the glowing eye of Jacopo--"Has he been
named to thee by any in authority?"

"He has not--my mission does not lie with fishermen."

"Duty may lead us into still humbler society, young man. They who are
charged with the grievous burden of the state, must not consider the
quality of the load they carry. In what manner hath this Antonio come to
thy knowledge?"

"I have known him as one esteemed by his fellows--a man skilful in his
craft, and long practised in the mystery of the Lagunes."

"He is a defrauder of the revenue, thou would'st be understood to say?"

"I would not. He toils too late and early to have other means of support
than labor."

"Thou knowest, Jacopo, the severity of our laws in matters that concern
the public moneys?"

"I know that the judgment of St. Mark, Signore, is never light when its
own interest is touched."

"Thou art not required to utter opinions beyond the present question.
This man hath a habit of courting the goodwill of his associates, and of
making his voice heard concerning affairs of which none but his
superiors may discreetly judge."

"Signore, he is old, and the tongue grows loose with years."

"This is not the character of Antonio. Nature hath not treated him
unkindly; had his birth and education been equal to his mind, the senate
might have been glad to listen--at it is, I fear he speaks in a sense to
endanger his own interests."

"Surely, if he speaks to offend the ear of St. Mark."

There was a