This passed just as the lugger anchored and the crowd had begun to disperse.  It caused some merriment, and it was soon spread in the little town that a craft had just arrived from Inghilterra, whose name, in the dialect of that island, was “Ving-y-Ving,” which meant “Ala e ala” in Italian, a cognomen that struck the listeners as sufficiently absurd.  In confirmation of the fact, however, the lugger hoisted a small square flag at the end of her main-yard, on which were painted, or wrought, two large wings, as they are sometimes delineated in heraldry, with the beak of a galley between them; giving the whole conceit something very like the appearance that the human imagination has assigned to those heavenly beings, cherubs.  This emblem seemed to satisfy the minds of the observers, who were too much accustomed to the images of art, not to obtain some tolerably distinct notions, in the end, of what “Ala e ala” meant.

But ’Maso, as has been said, remained after the rest had departed to their homes and their suppers, as did Ghita.  The pilot, for such was Tonti’s usual appellation, in consequence of his familiarity with the coast, and his being principally employed to direct the navigation of the different craft in which he served, kept his station on board a felucca to which he belonged, watching the movements of the lugger; while the girl had taken her stand on the quay, in a position that better became her sex, since it removed her from immediate contact with the rough spirits of the port, while it enabled her to see what occurred about the Wing-and-Wing.  More than half an hour elapsed, however, before there were any signs of an intention to land; but, by the time it was dark, a boat was ready, and it was seen making its way to the common stairs, where one or two of the regular officials were ready to receive it.

It is unnecessary to dwell on the forms of the pratique officers.  These troublesome persons had their lanterns, and were vigilant in examining papers, as is customary; but it would seem the mariner in the boat had everything en regle, for he was soon suffered to land.  At this instant, Ghita passed near the group, and took a close and keen survey of the stranger’s form and face, her own person being so enveloped in a mantle as to render a recognition of it difficult, if not impossible.  The girl seemed satisfied with this scrutiny, for she immediately disappeared.  Not so with ’Maso, who by this time had hurried round from the felucca, and was at the stairs in season to say a word to the stranger.

“Signore,” said the pilot, “his Eccellenza, the podesta, has bidden me say to you that he expects the honor of your company at his house, which stands so near us, hard by here, in the principle street, as will make it only a pleasure to go there; I know he would be disappointed, if he failed of the happiness of seeing you.”

“His Excellenza is a man not to be disappointed,” returned the stranger, in very good Italian, “and five minutes shall prove to him how eager I am to salute him”; then turning to the crew of his boat, he ordered them to return on board the lugger, and not to fail to look out for the signal by which he might call them ashore.