“Go to; take thy golden chain and oar, and depart among thy fellows in triumph.  Gladden thy heart at a victory, on which thou could’st not, in reason, have counted, and leave the interests of the state to those that are wiser than thee, and more fitted to sustain its cares.”

The fisherman arose with an air of rebuked submission, the result of a long life passed in the habit of political deference; but he did not approach to receive the proffered reward.

“Bend thy head, fisherman, that his Highness may bestow the prize,” commanded an officer.

“I ask not for gold, nor any oar, but that which carries me to the Lagunes in the morning, and brings me back into the canals at night.  Give me my child, or give me nothing.”

“Away with him!” muttered a dozen voices; “he utters sedition! let him quit the galley.”

Antonio was hurried from the presence, and forced into his gondola with very unequivocal signs of disgrace.  This unwonted interruption of the ceremonies clouded many a brow, for the sensibilities of a Venetian noble were quick, indeed, to reprehend the immorality of political discontent, though the conventional dignity of the class suppressed all other ill-timed exhibition of dissatisfaction.

“Let the next competitor draw near,” continued the sovereign, with a composure that constant practice in dissimulation rendered easy.

The unknown waterman to whose secret favor Antonio owed his success, approached, still concealed by the licensed mask.

“Thou art the gainer of the second prize,” said the Prince, “and were rigid justice done, thou should’st receive the first also, since our favor is not to be rejected with impunity.  Kneel, that I may bestow the favor.”

“Highness, pardon!” observed the masker, bowing with great respect, but withdrawing a single step from the offered reward; “if it be your gracious will to grant a boon for the success of the regatta, I too have to pray that it may be given in another form.”

“This is unusual!  It is not wont that prizes, offered by the hand of a Venetian Doge, should go a-begging.”

“I would not seem to press more than is respectful, in this great presence.  I ask but little, and, in the end, it may cost the Republic less, than that which is now offered.”

“Name it.”

“I, too, and on my knee, in dutiful homage to the chief of the state, beg that the prayer of the old fisherman be heard, and that the father and son may be restored to each other, for the service will corrupt the tender years of the boy, and make the age of his parent miserable.”

“This touches on importunity!  Who art thou, that comest in this hidden manner, to support a petition once refused?”

“Highness—­the second victor in the ducal regatta.”

“Dost trifle in thy answers?  The protection of a mask, in all that does not tend to unsettle the peace of the city, is sacred.  But here seemeth matter to be looked into.  Remove thy disguise, that we see thee eye to eye.”