Page 27 (1/2)

Cinthia returned; the four bravoes followed her, yawning, gru,

and still half asleep

"Come, come!" said Abellino, "rouse yourselves, lads Before I say

anything, be convinced that you are wide awake, for what I ae that you would scarce believe it in a

dream"

They listened to him with an air of indifference and impatience

"Why, what's the matter now?" said Thomaso, while he stretched

himself

"Neither more nor less than that our honest, hearty, brave Matteo is

azed with looks of

terror on the bearer of this unwelco her hands together, sank aleneral silence prevailed for soth repeated Thomaso, "and by whom?"

Baluzzo--Where?

Pietrino--What? this forenoon?

Abellino--In the gardens of Dolabella, where he was found bleeding

at the feet of the Doge's niece Whether he fell by her hand, or by

that of one of her ad)--Poor dear Matteo

Abellino--About this tiibbet

Pietrino--What! Did any one recognise him?

Abellino--Yes, yes! there's no doubt about his trade, you ibbet! Poor dear Matteo!

Thomaso--This is a fine piece of work