Andreas gazed upon them for some minutes, with a look which expressed at once anger, melancholy, and the most heartfelt disappointment. He sighed deeply, cast his eyes towards heaven, and in silence turned to leave the apartment.
“Stay yet one moment, noble Andreas,” cried the Florentine.
The Doge turned, and Flodoardo threw himself at his feet. Andreas looked down with calm and serious dignity on the kneeling offender, by whom his friendship had been so unworthily rewarded, and by whom his confidence had been so cruelly betrayed.
“Young man,” said he, in a stern voice, “the attempt to excuse yourself must be fruitless.”
“Excuse myself!” interrupted Flodoardo, boldly; “no, my lord, I need no excuses for loving Rosabella; ’twere for him to excuse himself who had seen Rosabella and _not_ loved her; yet, if it is indeed a crime in me that I adore Rosabella, ’tis a crime of which Heaven itself will absolve me, since it formed Rosabella so worthy to be adored.”
“You seem to lay too much stress on this fantastic apology,” answered the Doge, contemptuously; “at least you cannot expect that it should have much weight with me.”
“I say it once more, my lord,” resumed Flodoardo, while he rose from the ground, “that I intend to make no apology; I mean not to excuse my love for Rosabella, but to request your approbation of that love. Andreas, I adore your niece; I demand her for my bride.”
The Doge started in astonishment at this bold and unexpected request.
“It is true,” continued the Florentine, “I am no more than a needy, unknown youth, and it seems a piece of strange temerity when such a man proposes himself to espouse the heiress of the Venetian Doge. But, by Heaven, I am confident that the great Andreas means not to bestow his Rosabella on one of those whose claims to favour are overflowing coffers, extensive territories, and sounding titles, or who vainly decorate their insignificance with the glory obtained by the titles of their ancestors, glory of which they are themselves incapable of acquiring a single ray. I acknowledge freely that I have as yet performed no actions which make me deserving of such a reward as Rosabella; but it shall not be long ere I _will_ perform such actions, or perish in the attempt.”