"Well, Pietro! you must not fail to come and see us at the inn." The vetturino touched his hat, with the air of a man who would be very sorry _not_ to see them. It was not long ere the glittering prow of the gondola pointed to Venice. Before the travellers, rose ocean's Cybele; springing from the waters, like some fairy city, described to youthful ear by aged lip. The fantastic dome of St. Mark--the Palladian churches--the columned palaces--the sable gondolas shooting through the canals--made its aspect, as is its reality, unique in the world. "Beautiful, beautiful city!" said George, his eye lighting up as he spoke, "thou dost indeed look a city of the heart--a resting place for a wearied spirit. And our gondola, Henry, should be of burnished silver; and those afar--so noiselessly cutting their way through the glassy surface--those should be angels with golden wings; and, instead of an oar flashing freely, a snowy wand of mercy should beat back the kissing billows. "And Acmé, with her George, should sit on the crystal cushion of glory--and we would wait expectant for you a long long time--and then you should join us, Henry, with dear Emily. "And Thompson should be with us, too, and recline on the steps of our bark as he does now. "And together we would sail loving and happy through an amethystine sea." During their stay in Venice, George, in spite of his increasing languor, continued to accompany his brother, in his visits to the various objects of interest which the city can boast. The motion of the gondola appeared to have a soothing influence on the mind of the invalid. He would recline on the cushions, and the fast flowing tears would course down his wan cheeks. These, however, were far from being a proof of suffering;--they were evidently a relief to the surcharged spirit. One evening, a little before sunset, they found themselves in the crowded piazza of Saint Mark. The cafés were thronged with noble Venetians, come to witness the evening parade of an Austrian regiment. The sounds of martial music, swelled above the hum of the multitude; and few could listen to those strains, without participating in some degree, in the military enthusiasm of the hour. But the brothers turned from the pageantry of war, as their eyes fell on the emblems of Venice free--the minarets of St. Mark, with the horses of Lysippus, a spoil from Byzantium--the flagless poles that once bore the banners of three tributary states--the highly adorned azure clock--the palaces of the proud Doges--where Faliero reigned--where Faliero suffered:--these were before them. Their steps mechanically turned to the beautiful Campanile. George, leaning heavily on Sir Henry's arm, succeeded in gaining the summit: and they looked down from thence, on that wonderful city.