With this explanation Donna Violetta and her companion were greatly satisfied.  It left them leisure to devise means for their flight, and kindled a hope, in the former, of being speedily restored to Don Camillo.  Still there existed the cruel embarrassment of not possessing the means of acquainting the latter with their situation.  As the tumult ceased, they resolved to seek a boat, avored by such disguises as the means of Gelsomina could supply, and to row to his palace; but reflection convinced Donna Florinda of the danger of such a step, since the Neapolitan was known to be surrounded by the agents of the police.  Accident, which is more effectual than stratagem in defeating intrigues, had thrown them into a place of momentary security, and it would be to lose the vantage-ground of their situation to cast themselves, without the utmost caution, into the hazards of the public canals.

At length the governess bethought her of turning the services of the gentle creature, who had already shown so much sympathy in their behalf, to account.  During the revelations of her pupil, the feminine instinct of Donna Florinda had enabled her to discover the secret springs which moved the unpractised feelings of their auditor.  Gelsomina had listened to the manner in which Don Camillo had thrown himself into the canal to save the life of Violetta, with breathless admiration; her countenance was a pure reflection of her thoughts, when the daughter of Tiepolo spoke of the risks he had run to gain her love, and woman glowed in every lineament of her mild face, when the youthful bride touched on the nature of the engrossing tie which had united them, and which was far too holy to be severed by the Senate’s policy.

“If we had the means of getting our situation to the ears of Don Camillo,” said the governess, “all might yet be saved; else will this happy refuge in the prison avail us nothing.”

“Is the cavalier of too stout a heart to shrink before those up above?” demanded Gelsomina.

“He would summon the people of his confidence, and ere the dawn of day we might still be beyond their power.  Those calculating senators will deal with the vows of my pupil as if they were childish oaths, and set the anger of the Holy See itself at defiance, when there is question of their interest.”

“But the sacrament of marriage is not of man; that, at least, they will respect!”

“Believe it not.  There is no obligation so solemn as to be respected, when their policy is concerned.  What are the wishes of a girl, or what the happiness of a solitary and helpless female, to their fortunes?  That my charge is young, is a reason why their wisdom should interfere, though it is none to touch their hearts with the reflection that the misery to which they would condemn her, is to last the longer.  They take no account of the solemn obligations of gratitude; the ties of affection are so many means of working upon the fears of those they rule, but none for forbearance; and they laugh at the devotedness of woman’s love, as a folly to amuse their leisure, or to take off the edge of disappointment in graver concerns.”