The three old Italians, in whom this sally excited a multitude of absurd recollections and pleasant fancies, broke out into a general and hearty fit of laughter.  The sound of their cracked merriment, echoing in that gloomy and solemn room, suddenly recalled them to the recollection of their duties.  Each listened an instant, as if in expectation that some extraordinary consequence was to follow so extraordinary an interruption of the usual silence of the place, like a child whose truant propensities were about to draw detection on his offence, and then the principal of the council furtively wiped the tears from his eyes, and resumed his gravity.

“Signori,” he said, fumbling in a bundle of papers, “we must take up the matter of the fisherman—­but we will first inquire into the circumstance of the signet left the past night in the lion’s mouth.  Signor Gradenigo, you were charged with the examination.”

“The duty hath been executed, noble Sirs, and with a success I had not hoped to meet with.  Haste at our last meeting prevented a perusal of the paper to which it was attached, but it will now be seen that the two have a connexion.  Here is an accusation which charges Don Camillo Monforte with a design to bear away, beyond the power of the Senate, the Donna Violetta, my ward, in order to possess her person and riches.  It speaketh of proofs in possession of the accuser, as if he were an agent intrusted by the Neapolitan.  As a pledge of his truth, I suppose, for there is no mention made of any other use, he sends the signet of Don Camillo himself, which cannot have been obtained without that noble’s confidence.”

“Is it certain that he owns the ring?”

“Of that I am well assured.  You know I am especially charged with conducting his personal demand with the Senate, and frequent interviews have given me opportunity to note that he was wont to wear a signet, which is now wanting.  My jeweller of the Rialto hath sufficiently identified this, as the missing ring.”

“Thus far it is clear, though there is an obscurity in the circumstance that the signet of the accused should be found with the accusation, which, being unexplained, renders the charge vague and uncertain.  Have you any clue to the writing, or any means of knowing whence it comes?”

There was a small but nearly imperceptible red spot on the cheek of the Signor Gradenigo, that did not escape the keen distrust of his companions; but he concealed his alarm, answering distinctly that he had none.

“We must then defer a decision for further proof.  The justice of St. Mark hath been too much vaunted to endanger its reputation by a hasty decree, in a question which so closely touches the interest of a powerful noble of Italy.  Don Camillo Monforte hath a name of distinction, and counteth too many of note among his kindred, to be dealt with as we might dispose of a gondolier, or the messenger of some foreign state.”