“Enter, Hosea, and unburden thyself,” continued the senator, like one prepared for some habitual communication.  “Is there aught new that touches the public weal?”

“Blessed is the people over whom there is so fatherly a care!  Can there be good or evil to the citizen of the Republic, noble Signore, without the bowels of the senate moving, as the parent yearneth over his young?  Happy is the country in which men of reverend years and whitened heads watch, until night draws towards the day, and weariness is forgotten in the desire to do good, and to honor the state!”

“Thy mind partaketh of the eastern imagery of the country of thy fathers, good Hosea, and thou art apt to forget that thou art not yet watching on the steps of the Temple.  What of interest hath the day brought forth?”

“Say rather the night, Signore, for little worthy of your ear hath happened, save a matter of some trifling import, which hath grown out of the movements of the evening.”

“Have there been stilettoes busy on the bridge?—­ha!—­or do the people joy less than common in their levities?”

“None have died wrongfully, and the square is gay as the fragrant vineyards of Engedi.  Holy Abraham! what a place is Venice for its pleasures, and how the hearts of old and young revel in their merriment!  It is almost sufficient to fix the font in the synagogue, to witness so joyous a dispensation in behalf of the people of these islands!  I had not hoped for the honor of an interview to-night, Signore, and I had prayed, before laying my head upon the pillow, when one charged by the council brought to me a jewel, with an order to decipher the arms and other symbols of its owner.  ’Tis a ring, with the usual marks which accompany private confidences.”

“Thou hast the signet?” said the noble, stretching out an arm.

“It is here, and a goodly stone it is; a turquoise of price.”

“Whence came it—­and why is it sent to thee?”

“It came, Signore, as I gather more through hints and intimations of the messenger than by his words, from a place resembling that which the righteous Daniel escaped in virtue of his godliness and birth.”

“Thou meanest the Lion’s Mouth?”

“So say our ancient books, Signore, in reference to the prophet, and so would the council’s agent seem to intimate in reference to the ring?”

“Here is naught but a crest with the equestrian helmet—­comes it of any in Venice?”

“The upright Solomon guided the judgment of his servant in a matter of this delicacy!  The jewel is of rare beauty, such as few possess but those who have gold in store for other purposes.  Do but regard the soft lustre in this light, noble Signore, and remark the pleasing colors that rise by the change of view!”

“Ay—­’tis well—­but who claimeth the bearings?”

“It is wonderful to contemplate how great a value may lie concealed in so small a compass!  I have known sequins of full weight and heavy amount given for baubles less precious.”