“I have seen faces on the Rialto, of late, Signore, that look empty purses.  The Christian seems anxious, and in want, while the unbelievers wear their gaberdines with a looser air than is usual.”

“This hath been expected.  Doth report openly name any of the Israelites who are in the custom of lending, on usury, to the young nobles?”

“All, who have to lend, may be accounted of the class; the whole synagogue, rabbis, and all, are of a mind, when there is question of a Christian’s purse.”

“Thou likest not the Hebrew, Jacopo; but he is of good service in the Republic’s straits.  We count all friends, who are ready with their gold at need.  Still the young hopes of Venice must not be left to waste their substance in unwary bargains with the gainful race, and should’st thou hear of any of mark, who are thought to be too deeply in their clutches, thou wilt do wisely to let the same be known, with little delay, to the guardians of the public weal.  We must deal tenderly with those who prop the state, but we must also deal discreetly with those who will shortly compose it.  Hast thou aught to say in the matter?”

“I have heard men speak of Signor Giacomo as paying dearest for their favors.”

“Gesu Maria! my son and heir!  Dost thou not deceive me, man, to gratify thine own displeasure against the Hebrews?”

“I have no other malice against the race, Signore, than the wholesome disrelish of a Christian.  Thus much I hope may be permitted to a believer, but beyond that, in reason, I carry hatred to no man.  It is well known that your heir is disposing freely of his hopes, and at prices that lower expectations might command.”

“This is a weighty concern!  The boy must be speedily admonished of the consequences, and care must be had for his future discretion.  The Hebrew shall be punished, and as a solemn warning to the whole tribe, the debt confiscated to the benefit of the borrower.  With such an example before their eyes, the knaves will be less ready with their sequins.  Holy St. Theodore! ’twere self-destruction to suffer one of such promise to be lost for the want of prudent forethought.  I will charge myself with the matter, as an especial duty, and the senate shall have no cause to say that its interests have been neglected.  Hast thou had applications of late, in thy character of avenger of private wrongs?”

“None of note—­there is one that seeks me earnestly, though I am not yet wholly the master of his wishes.”

“Thy office is of much delicacy and trust, and, as thou art well aware, the reward is weighty and sure.”  The eyes of the Bravo kindled with an expression which caused his companion to pause.  But observing that the repose, for which the features of Jacopo were so remarkable, again presided over his pallid face, he continued, as if there had been no interruption, “I repeat, the bounty and clemency of the state will not be forgotten.  If its justice is stern and infallible, its forgiveness is cordial, and its favors ample.  Of these facts I have taken much pains to assure thee, Jacopo.  Blessed St. Mark! that one of the scions of thy great stock should waste his substance for the benefit of a race of unbelievers!  But thou hast not named him who seeks thee with this earnestness?”