It is unnecessary to give the discourse which succeeded.  It related more to literature and matters in general than to anything connected with our tale, the worthy vice-govenatore being disposed to reward the ingenuousness of the young sailor, by furnishing him as much instruction as the time and circumstances would allow.  Raoul bore this very well, waiting patiently for the light to disappear, when he felt a perfect confidence of again meeting Ghita on the promenade.  As he had discovered how much more safety there was in diffidence than in pretension, he found his task of deception comparatively easy; and by letting the vice-governatore have his own way, he not only succeeded in gaining that functionary over to a full belief in his assumed nationality, but in persuading him to believe the “Signor Smees” a young man of even more erudition than he had at first supposed.  By means as simple and natural as these, Raoul made more progress in the good graces of Andrea Barrofaldi in the next two hours, than he could have done in a year by setting up his own knowledge and reading as authority.

There is little doubt that the vice-governatore found this interview agreeable, from the time he was disposed to waste on it; and, it is certain, Raoul thought it some of the hardest duty in which he had ever been engaged.  As for Vito Viti, he was edified, and he did not care to conceal it, giving frequent manifestations of his satisfaction by expressions of delight; occasionally venturing a remark, as if expressly to betray his own ignorance.

“I have often known you great, vice-governatore,” he cried, when Andrea had closed a dissertation on the earlier history of all the northern nations, which lasted fully half an hour, “but never so great as you are to-night!  Signore, you have been most illustrious this evening!  Is it not so, Signor Smees?  Could any professor of Pisa, or even of Papua, do more justice to a subject than we have seen done to this to which we have been listening?”

“Signor Podesta,” added Raoul, “but one feeling has prevailed in my mind while attending to what has been said; and that has been deep regret that my profession has cut me off from all these rich stores of profound thought.  But it is permitted us to admire that even which we cannot imitate.”

“Quite true, Signori,” answered Andrea, with gentle benevolence, “but with dispositions like yours, Sir Smees, it is not so very difficult to imitate what we admire.  I will write out a list of works which I would recommend to your perusal; and, by touching at Livorno or Napoli, you will obtain all the books at reasonable prices.  You may expect to see the list on your breakfast table to-morrow morning, as I shall not sleep until it is completed.”