The solution of this unexpected visit is very easily given.  After the departure of the Capitano Smees, Vito Viti returned to the subject of ’Maso’s suspicions, and by suggesting certain little circumstances in the mariner’s manner, that he had noted during the interview, he so far succeeded in making an impression on himself, that, in the end, his own distrust revived, and with it that of the deputy-governor.  Neither, however, could be said to be more than uneasy, and the podesta happening to mention his appointment with the pilot, Andrea determined to accompany him, in order to reconnoitre the strange craft in person.  Both the functionaries wore their cloaks, by no means an unusual thing in the cool night air of the coast, even in midsummer, which served them for all the disguise that circumstances required.

“Il Signor Vice-governatore!” almost gasped Benedetta, dusting a chair, and then the table, and disposing the former near the latter by a sort of mechanical process, as if only one errand could ever bring a guest within her doors; “your eccellenza is most welcome; and it is an honor I could oftener ask.  We are humble people down here at the water side, but I hope we are just as good Christians as if we lived upon the hill.”

“Doubt it not, worthy Bettina—­”

“My name is Benedetta, at your eccellenza’s command-Benedittina if it please the vice-governatore; but not Bettina.  We think much of our names, down here at the water side, eccellenza.”

“Let it be so, then, good Benedetta, and I make no doubt you are excellent Christians.—­A flask of your wine, if it be convenient.”

The woman dropped a curtsey that was full of gratitude; and the glance of triumph that she cast at her other guests may be said to have terminated the discussion that was about to commence, as the dignitaries appeared.  It disposed of the question of the wine at once, and for ever silenced cavilling.  If the vice-governatore could drink her liquor, what mariner would henceforth dare calumniate it!

“Eccellenza, with a thousand welcomes,” Benedetta continued, as she placed the flask on the table, after having carefully removed the cotton and the oil with her own plump hand; this being one of half a dozen flasks of really sound, well-flavored, Tuscan liquor, that she kept for especial occasions; as she well might, the cost being only a paul, or ten cents for near half a gallon; “Eccellenza, a million times welcome.  This is an honor that don’t befall the Santa Maria degli Venti more than once in a century; and you, too, Signor Podesta, once before only have you ever had leisure to darken my poor door.”

“We bachelors”—­the podesta, as well as the vice-governor, belonged to the fraternity—­“we bachelors are afraid to trust ourselves too often in the company of a sprightly widow like yourself, whose beauty has rather improved than lessened by a few years.”