“Is this man’s history to be believed, Gaetano?” demanded the baron, who had more than once betrayed a wish to check the rude tongue of the speaker.

“I do not—­I cannot deny it; I never saw my own conduct in this criminal light before, and yet now it all seems frightfully true!”

Il Maledetto laughed.  Those around him thought his untimely merriment resembled the mockery of a devil.

“This is the manner in which men continue to sin, while they lay claim to the merit of innocence!” he added.  “Let the great of the earth give but half the care to prevent, that they show to punish, offences against themselves, and what is now called justice will no longer be a stalking-horse to enable a few to live at the cost of the rest.  As for me, I am proof of what noble blood and illustrious ancestry can do for themselves!  Stolen when a child, Nature has had fair play in my temperament, which I own is more disposed to wild adventure and manly risks than to the pleasures of marble halls.  Noble father of mine, were this spirit dressed up in the guise of a senator, or a doge, it might fare badly with Genoa!”

“Unfortunate man,” exclaimed the indignant prior, “is this language for a child to use to his father?  Dost thou forget that the blood of Jacques Colis is on thy soul?”

“Holy Augustine, the candor with which my general frailties are allowed, should gain me credit when I speak of particular accusations.  By the hopes and piety of the reverend canon of Aoste, thy patron saint and founder!  I am guiltless of this crime.  Question Nettuno as you will, or turn the affair in every way that usage warrants, and let appearances take what shape they may, I swear to you my innocence.  If ye think that fear of punishment tempts me to utter a lie, under these holy appeals, (he crossed himself with reverence,) ye do injustice both to my courage and to my love of the saints.  The only son of the reigning Doge of Genoa hath little to fear from the headsman’s blow!”

Again Maso laughed.  It was the confidence of one who knew the world and who was too audacious even to consult appearances unless it suited his humor, breaking out in very wantonness.  A man who had led his life, was not to learn at this late day, that the want of eyes in Justice oftener means blindness to the faults of the privileged, than the impartiality that is assumed by the pretending emblem.  The chatelain, the prior, the bailiff, the clavier, and the Baron de Willading, looked at each other like men bewildered.  The mental agony of the Doge formed a contrast so frightful with the heartless and cruel insensibility of the son, that the sight chilled their blood.  The sentiment was only the more common, from the silent but general conviction, that the unfeeling criminal must be permitted to escape.  There was, indeed, no precedent for leading the child of a prince to the block, unless it were for an offence which touched the preservation of the father’s interests.