They had quarrelled a few days before over some question of the precedence of their families, and Morosini was found dead at the top of the steps close to the church of Saint Paolo.

Some people heard a cry and ran up just as Mocenigo leapt into his gondola, but as it rowed off their shouts called the attention of one of the city guard boats which happened to be passing, and it was stopped.

As his sword was still wet with blood, he could not deny that he was the author of the deed, but, as I said, he declared it was in fair fight.
The Morosinis asserted that Polo's sword was undrawn, but the Mocenigo family brought forward a man, who swore that he was one of the first to arrive, and pick up the sword and place it in its scabbard to prevent its being lost.

No doubt he lied; but as Mocenigo's influence in the council was greater than that of the Morosini, the story was accepted.
However, the public feeling was so strong that they could not do less than sentence Ruggiero to two years' banishment.

I suppose that has just expired, and he has returned from Constantinople.