Part 2: Chapters 10-12 Summary

In Chapter 10, Bucino returns home from the jewelers', absolutely furious. He does not think the maid clever enough to steal the ruby, and blames it on La Draga. When he finds her attending to Fiammetta, he explodes into anger and curses her, accusing her of stealing and manipulating them. Later, they have a visit from Pietro, the writer, who has followed Bucino home. Surprised at the unglamorous surroundings, Pietro teases Fiammetta, who replies that they are just visiting a poor acquaintance of theirs (referring to La Draga).

Chapter 11 introduces the first client in Venice to Fiammetta. He is a bit of a buffoon, drunk and violent, and when he passes out, Fiammetta takes his purse, boosting their existing funds significantly. In Chapter 12, however, she comes across trouble when some youths start to mock her and call out names from...