Work at home I been easily alarmed, Signor Giacomo, in that particular, I might not have parted with it so readily. There was an appearance of distrust in his manner, which proved that he did not expect to meet his bride. The promises and commands of the latter were sufficient of themselves to reconcile him to the change, and all were convinced there was no time to lose. Whereas many wicked and ruthless assassinations have of late been committed on the persons of divers good citizens of Venice,"--he proclaimed--"the Senate, in its fatherly care of all whom it is charged to protect, has found reason to resort to extraordinary means of preventing the repetition of crimes so contrary to the laws of God and the security of society. The common opinion that a Republic cannot exist without an extraordinary degree of virtue in its citizens, is so flattering to our own actual condition, that we seldom take the trouble to inquire into its truth; but, to us, it seems quite apparent that the effect is here mistaken for the cause. Signore, I knew him well of late, and much regret that it was only of late. The remainder of the day passed in an uninterrupted flow of pleasant conversation, the natural consequence of a unison of opinions on all leading questions, the parties having long known and esteemed each other for those qualities which soonest reconcile us to the common frailties of our nature. Notwithstanding the awkwardness of his situation, he was by far the least discomposed person of the party, and having pleasantly excused himself, he appeared to think no more of the matter. John pointed to the window, where his sister stood anxiously watching her uncle's movements. The dowager next settled down into a more covert attack through Grace; but here she had two to contend with: her own forces rebelled, and the war had been protracted to the present hour with varied success, and at least without any material captures, on one side.
Denbigh excited a sensation amongst his guests for which he was unable to account, and which he soon forgot himself. Wilson, gravely, and the subject was dropped: though neither ceased to dwell on it in her thoughts, until sleep closed the eyes of both. Wilson observing her niece to be uninjured by anything but the shock, assisted John in supporting the wounded man.