It seemed well nigh impossible that she could be ready to sail at the hour named, but everyone worked with a will, and by daybreak things were almost in order.  Polani himself came down to the port as soon as it was light, and expressed satisfaction at the work which had been done; and half an hour afterwards the anchor was weighed.

Just as the sails had been hoisted, Matteo arrived.

“You are only just in time, Matteo,” Polani said.  “Why did you not come off yesterday and help?”

“I was out,” Matteo said, “when your message came, and only returned just in time to go to the entertainment at the ducal palace.  I knew I could be of no use on board while they were only getting in the cargo.”

“You will never be of any use on board, Matteo, if you go to entertainments when there’s work to be done.  You could have taken the marks on the bales as they came on board, just as well as another.  I suppose you thought that the dirt and dust wouldn’t suit a fine gentleman like you!  Another time, unless you come on board when sent for, and make yourself as useful as you can, while the ship is fitting out and loading, you will not sail in her.  One part of the duty is just as important as the other, and seamanship does not consist solely in strolling up and down the deck, and watching a vessel sail for her destination.”

Matteo was abashed at the reproach, but soon recovered his usual spirits after Polani had left, when the vessel was under way.

“My cousin was rather in a sharp mood this morning,” he said with a laugh to Francis; “but really I did not think I could be of any good, and the entertainment was a grand one.  Everyone was there, and I should have been very sorry to have missed it.”

“Everyone to his taste, Matteo.  For my part, I would very much rather have been at work here all night watching the cargo got in and checking it off, than have been standing about doing nothing in the palace.”

“Doing nothing!” Matteo repeated indignantly.  “Why, I was talking to someone the whole time I was there.”

“Talking about what, Matteo?”

“The heat, and the music, and the costumes, and the last bit of scandal at the Piazza.”

“I don’t call that talk.  I call it chatter.  And now, Matteo, I shall leave you to your own devices, for I am going to turn in and get a sleep for a few hours.”

“You look as if you wanted it,” Matteo said; “but I think that you stand in even more need of a wash.  You are grimy with dust.  It is just as well that my cousin Giulia did not come on board with her father this morning, for the sight of your face would have given her quite a shock, and would have dissipated any illusions she may have had that you were a good-looking fellow.”

Francis went off to his cabin with a laugh, and took Matteo’s advice as to the wash before he turned in.  In a few minutes he was asleep, and did not wake until Giuseppi came to say that the midday meal was just ready.