“Young people always want to go fast,” Mr. Hammond said.  “Why, I can’t make out.  However, Francis, I am not sorry that you have got a boat of your own, for it has happened several times lately, that when in the evening I have gone down intending to row round to the Piazzetta, I have found the boat gone, and have had to walk.  Now I shall be able to rely on finding Beppo asleep in the boat at the steps.  In future, since you have a boat of your own, I shall not be so particular as to your being in at ten.  I do not so much mind your being out on the water, only you must promise me that you will not be in the streets after that hour.  There are frequent broils as the evening gets on, not to mention the danger of cutthroats in unfrequented lanes; but if you will promise me that you will never be about the streets after half past nine, I will give you leave to stay out on the water till a later hour; but when you come in late be careful always to close and bar the door, and do not make more noise than you can help in coming up to your room.”

Francis was much pleased with this concession, for the obligation to return at ten o’clock, just when the temperature was most delightful and the Grand Canal at its gayest, had been very irksome to him.  As to the prohibition against being in the streets of Venice after half past nine, he felt that no hardship whatever, as he found no amusement in strolling in the crowded Piazza.

Chapter 2:  A Conspiracy.

“Who are those ladies, Matteo?” Francis asked his friend one evening, as the latter, who was sitting with him in his gondola, while Giuseppi rowed them along the Grand Canal, half rose and saluted two girls in a passing gondola.

“They are distant cousins of mine, Maria and Giulia Polani.  They only returned a short time since from Corfu.  Their father is one of the richest merchants of our city.  He has for the last three years been living in Corfu, which is the headquarters of his trade.  The family is an old one, and has given doges to Venice.  They are two of our richest heiresses, for they have no brothers.  Their mother died soon after the birth of Giulia.”

“They both look very young,” Francis said.

“Maria is about sixteen, her sister two years younger.  There will be no lack of suitors for their hands, for although the family is not politically powerful, as it used to be, their wealth would cause them to be gladly received in our very first families.”

“Who was the middle-aged lady sitting between them?”

“She is only their duenna,” Matteo said carelessly.  “She has been with them since they were children, and their father places great confidence in her.  And he had need to, for Maria will ere long be receiving bouquets and perfumed notes from many a young gallant.”

“I can quite fancy that,” Francis said, “for she is very pretty as well as very rich, and, as far as I have observed, the two things do not go very often together.  However, no doubt by this time her father has pretty well arranged in his mind whom she is to marry.”