 20 Marietta shook her head. She still knelt at her father's feet, holding his hands. I am not mad, she said. I am an earnest. I cannot marry him. It is impossible. You must marry him, answered Beroviaro. You are betrothed to him, and it would be an insult to his family to break off the marriage now. Besides, you have no reason to give, not the shadow of a reason. Marietta dropped his hands and rose to her feet lightly. She had expected a terrific outburst of anger, which would gradually subside, after which she hoped to find words with which to influence him. But like many hot-tempered men, he was sometimes unexpectedly calm at critical moments, as if he were really able to control his nature when he chose. She now almost wished that he would break out in a rage, as women sometimes hope we may, for they know it is far easier to deal with an angry man than with a determined one. I will not marry him, she said at last, with strong emphasis and almost defiantly. My child, Beroviaro answered gravely, you do not know what you are saying. I do, cried Marietta with some indignation. I have thought of it a long time. I was very wrong not to make up my mind from the beginning, and I ask your forgiveness. In my heart I always knew that I could not do it in the end, and I should have said so at once. It was a great mistake. There is no question of your consent, replied Beroviaro with conviction. If girls were consulted as to the men they were to marry, the world would soon come to an end. This is only a passing madness of which you should be heartily ashamed. Say no more about it. On the appointed day the wedding will take place. It will not, said Marietta firmly, and he will do better to let it be known at once. It is of no use to take heaven to witness and to make a solemn oath. I merely say that I will not marry Jacopo Contorini. You may carry me to the church, you may drag me before the altar, but I will resist. I will scream out that I will not, and the priest himself will protect me. That will be a much greater scandal than if you go to the Contorini family and tell them that your daughter is mad if you really think I am. You are undoubtedly beside yourself at the present moment, Beroviaro answered, but it will pass, I hope. Not while I am alive and I shall certainly resist to the end. It would be much wiser of you to send me to a convent at once than to count on forcing me to go through the marriage ceremony. Beroviaro stared at her and stroked his beard. He began to believe that she might possibly be an earnest since she talked so quietly of going to a convent, a fate which most girls considered the most terrible that could be imagined. He bent his brows in thought but watched her steadily. You have not yet given me a single reason for all this wild talk, he said after a pause. It is absurd to think that without some good cause you are suddenly filled with repulsion for marriage, or for Jacopo Contorini. I have heard of young women who were betrothed but who felt a religious vocation and refused to marry for that reason. It never seemed a very satisfactory one to me, for if there is any condition in which a woman needs religion it is the marriage state. He paused in his speech pleased with his own idea in spite of all his troubles. Marietta had moved a few steps away from him and stood beside the table looking down at the things on it without seeing them. But you do not even make religion a pretext, pursued her father, have you no reason to give? I do not expect a good one for none can have any weight but I should like to hear the best you have. It is a very convincing one to me, Marietta replied, still looking down at the table, but I think I had better not tell it to you today. It would make you angry. No, said Berav Yaro, one cannot be angry with people who are really out of their senses. I am not so mad as you think, answered the girl. I have told you of my decision because it would be cowardly of me not to tell you what I felt before you went away, but it might be a mistake to tell you more today. You have had enough to harass you already since you came back. You are suddenly very considerate. No, I have not been considerate. I could not be without acting a lie to you by letting you believe that I meant to marry Miss Sergio Coppo and I will not do that any longer since I know that it is a lie, but I cannot see the use of saying anything more. You had better tell me the whole truth rather than let me think something that may be much worse, answered Berav Yaro, changing his attitude. There is nothing in the truth of which I am ashamed, said Marietta, holding up her head proudly. I have done nothing which I did not believe to be right. However strange it may seem to you. Once more their eyes met and they gazed steadily at each other, and again the blush spread over her cheeks. Berav Yaro put out his hand and touched the folded mantle. Marietta, he said, so as he has stolen my precious book of secrets and has disappeared with it, they tell me that he also stole this mantle, for it was found here just after he was arrested last night. Is it true, or has he stolen my daughter instead? Marietta's face had darkened when he began to accuse the absent man. At the question that followed, she started a little and drew herself up. So as he is neither a thief nor a traitor, she answered. If you mean to ask me whether I love him, is that what you mean? She paused with flashing eyes. Yes, answered her father, and his voice shook. Then yes, I love him with all my heart, and I have loved him long. That is why I will not marry Jacopo Contarini. You know my secret now. Berav Yaro groaned aloud, and his heart sank as he grasped the arms of the chair. His daughter loved the man who had cheated him, betrayed him, and robbed him. It was almost too much to bear. He had nothing to say, for no words could tell what he felt then, and he silently bowed his head. As for the accusations you bring against him, Marietta said after a moment, they are false from first to last, and I can prove to you that every one of them is an abominable lie. You cannot make that untrue, which I have seen with my eyes. I can, though so as he has the right to prove his innocence himself. I may say too much, for I am not as generous as he is. Do you know that when they tried to kill him in the furnace room and blamed him for life, he told everyone, even me, that it was an accident? He is so brave and noble that when he comes here again, he will not tell you that it was your own son who tried to rob you, who did everything in his power to get Zorzi away from this room in order to search for your manuscript, and who at last, as everything else failed, persuaded the governor to arrest him. He will not tell you that, and he does not know that before they had taken him twenty paces from the door Giovanni was already here, locked in and trying the stones with a hammer to find out which one covered the precious book. Did Giovanni tell you that this morning? No, Zorzi would not tell you all the truth, and I know some of it even better than he, but Zorzi was always generous and brave. Beraviero had lifted his head now and was looking hard at her. And you're mantle? How came it here? There was nothing to be done now but to speak the truth. If is here, said Marietta, growing paler, because I came here, unknown to anyone except Pascuali, who let me in, because I came alone last night to warn the men I love that Giovanni had planned his destruction and to save him if I could. In my haste I left the mantle in that chair of yours in which I had been sitting. It slipped from my shoulders as I sat, and there Giovanni must have found it. If you had seen it there you would know that what I say is true. I did see it, said Beraviero. Giovanni left it where it was, and I folded it myself this morning. Zorzi did not steal the mantle. I take back that accusation. Nor has he stolen your secrets. Take that back too, if you are just. You always were till now. I have searched the place where he and I put the book, and it is not there. Giovanni searched it twelve hours earlier, and it was already gone. Zorzi saved it from your son, and then in his rage I suppose that Giovanni accused him of stealing it. He may even have believed it, for I can be just too, but it is not true. The book is safe. Zorzi took it with him, said Beraviero. You are mistaken. Before he was arrested he said that I ought to know where it was in case anything happened to him in order to tell you. Beraviero rose slowly, staring at her, and speaking with an effort. You know where it is. He told you. He has not taken it away. Marietta smiled in perfect certainty of victory. I know where it is. Where is it? he asked in extreme anxiety, for he could hardly believe what he heard. I will not tell you yet, was the unexpected answer Marietta gave him, and you could not possibly find it unless I do. The veins stood out on the old man's temples in an instant, and the old angry fire came back to his eyes. Do you dare to tell me that you will not show me the place where the book is on the very instant? Oh yes, answered Marietta. I dare that, and much more. I am not a coward like my brother, you know. I will not tell you the secret till you promise me something. You are trying to sell me what is my own, he answered angrily. You are in league with Zorzi against me to break off your marriage. But I will not do it. You shall tell me where the book is. If you refuse, you shall repent it as long as you live. I will. He stopped short in his speech as he met her disdainful look. You never threatened me before, she said. Why do you think that you can frighten me? Give me what is mine, said the old man angrily. That is all I demand. I am not threatening. Set me free from Miss Sir Jacopo, and you shall have it, answered Marietta. No, you shall marry him. I will not, but I will keep your book until you change your mind or else. But no, if I gave it to Zorzi, he is so honorable that he would bring it back to you without so much as looking into it. I will keep it for myself, or I will burn it. She felt that if she had been a man, she could not have taken such an unfair advantage of him. But she was a defenseless girl fighting for the liberty of her whole life. That might excuse much, she thought. But this time Beraviero was very angry. He stalked up and down beside the furnace, trailing his thin silk gown behind him, stroking his beard with a quick, impatient movement, and casting fierce glances at Marietta from time to time. He was not used to being at the mercy of circumstances, still less to having his mind made up for him by his son and his daughter. Giovanni had made him believe that Zorzi had turned traitor and thief after five years of faithful service, and the conviction had cut him to the quick. And now Marietta had demonstrated Zorzi's innocence almost beyond doubt, but had made matters worse in other ways, and was taking the high hand with him. He did not realize that from the moment when she had boldly confessed what she had done, and had declared her love for Zorzi, his confidence in her had returned by quick degrees, and that the atrocious crime of having come secretly at night to the laboratory had become, in his eyes, and perhaps against his will, a mere pardonable piece of rashness. Since if Zorzi was innocent, anything which could save him from unjust imprisonment might well be forgiven. He had borne what seemed to him very great misfortunes with fortitude and dignity, but his greatest treasures were safe, his daughter and Paola Godi's manuscript, and he became furiously angry with Marietta because she had him in her power. If a man is seated, a woman who intends to get the better of him generally stands. But if he loses his temper and begins to walk about, she immediately seats herself and assumes an exasperating calmness of manner. Accordingly, Marietta sat down on a small chair near the table and watched her father in silence, persuaded that he would be obliged to yield in the end. No one has ever dared to brow beat me in this way in my whole life, cried the old man fiercely, and his voice shook with rage. Will you listen to me? asked Marietta with sudden meekness. Listen to you? he repeated instantly. Have I not been listening to you for hours? I do not know how long it may have been, answered the girl, but I have much more to say. You are so angry that you will not hear me. Angry? I? Are you telling me that I am so beside myself with rage that I cannot understand reason? I did not say that. You meant it, then. What did you say? You have forgotten what you said already, just like a girl. And you pretend to argue with me, with your own father. It is beyond belief. Silence, I say. Do not answer me. Marietta sat quite still and began to look at her nails, which were very pink and well-shaped. After a short silence, the beer of Yaro stopped before her. Well? he cried. Why do you not speak? His eyes blazed and he tapped the pavement with his foot. She raised her eyebrows, smiled a little wearily, and sighed. I misunderstood you, she said with exasperating patience. I thought you told me to be silent. You always misunderstand me, he answered angrily and walked off again. You always did, and you always will. I believe you do it on purpose, but I will make you understand. You shall know what I mean. I should be so glad, said Marietta. Pray tell me what you mean. This was too much. He turned sharply in his walk. I mean you to marry Contorini, he cried out, with a stamp of the foot. And you mean never to see Paola Godi's manuscript again, suggested Marietta quietly. Perdition, take the accursed thing, worthy old man, if I only knew where you have put it. It is where you can never, never find it, Marietta answered. So it is of no use to be angry with me, is it? The more angry you are, the less likely it is that I shall tell you. But I will tell you something else, Father, something you never understood before. My marriage was to have been a bargain, a great name for a fortune, half your fortune for a great name, and an alliance with a Contorini. Perhaps one was worth the other. I know very little of such things. But a chance is that I can have a word to say about the bargain, too. Would anyone say that I was doing very wrong if I gave that book to my brother, for instance? Giovanni would not give it back to you, as Zorzi would. I am quite sure. What a formidable scheme is this? Beraviero fairly trembled in his fury. I offer you a simple bargain, Marietta answered, unmoved. I will give you your manuscript for my freedom. Will you take it, Father? Or will you insist upon trying to marry me by force and let me give the book to Giovanni? Yes, that is what I will do. Then I will marry Zorzi and go away. Silence, child. You, Marietta Stranger, a Dalmatian, a servant? But I love him. You may call him a servant if you choose. It would make no difference to me if it were true. He would not be less brave, less loyal, or less worthy if you were forced to clean your shoes in order to live instead of sharing your art with you. Did he ever lie to you? No, cried the old man. I would have broken his bones. Did he ever betray a secret since you know that the book is safe? No. Have you trusted him far more than your own sons for many years? Yes, of course. Then call him your servant if you like and call your sons what you please, concluded Marietta. But do not tell me that such a man is not good enough to be the husband of a glassblower's daughter who does not want a great name, nor a palace, nor a husband who sits in the Grand Council. Do not say that, Father, for it would not be true and you never told a lie in your life. I tell you that marriage has nothing to do with all this. He began walking again to keep his temper hot for he was dimly conscious that he was getting the worst of the encounter and that her arguments were good. And I tell you that a marriage that has nothing to do with love and with honor and with trust is no marriage at all. Say what you please of customs and traditions and of station and all that. God never meant that an innocent girl should be bought and sold like a slave or a horse for a name, nor for money, nor for any imaginary advantage to herself or to her father. I know what our privilege is that the patricians may marry us and not lose their rank. I would rather keep my own and marry a glassworker, even if I were to be sold. Do you know what your money would buy for me in Venice? The privilege of being despised and slighted by patricians and great ladies? You know as well as I that it would all end there in spite of all you may give. They want your money. You want their name because you are rich and you have always been taught to think that the chief use of money is to rise in the world. Will you teach me what I am to think? Hasstel Bero Vero amazed at her sudden flow of words. Yes, she answered before he could say more. I will teach you what you should think, what you should have always thought. A man is brave and upright and honest in everything as you are. You should think. You should know that your daughter has a right to live, a right to be free, and a right to love like every living creature God ever made. This is the most abominable rebellion, retorted Bero Vero. I cannot imagine where you learned. Rebellion? She cried, interrupting him in ringing tones. Yes, it is rank rebellion, sedition, and revolt against slavery. For a life, for a love, and for freedom. You wonder where I have learned to turn and face the suppression of the world? Instead of yielding to it, one more unhappy woman among a thousand that are bought and sold into wifehood every year. I have learned nothing. My heart needed no teaching for that. It is enough that I love an honest man truly. I know that it is wrong to promise my faith to another, and that it is a worse wrong in you to try to get that promise from me by force. A vow that could be nothing but a solemn lie. Would the ring on my finger be a charm to make me forget? Would the priests' words and blessing be a spell to root out of my heart what is the best part of my life? Better go to a nunnery and weep for the truth than to hope for peace in such a lie as that. Better a thousand thousand times. She had risen now and was almost eloquent, facing her father with flashing eyes. Oh, you have always been kind to me, good to me, dear to me, she went on quickly. It is only in this that you will not understand. Would it not hurt you a little to feel that you had sent me to a sort of living death from which I could never come back to life? That I was imprisoned forever among people who looked down upon me and only tolerated me for my fortune's sake. Yet that would be the very least part of it. I could bear all that if it were for any good. But to become a creature, a possession, the plaything of a man I do not love when I love another with all my heart. Oh, no, no, no, you cannot ask me that. His anger had slowly subsided and he was listening now, not because she had him in her power, but because what she said was true, for he was a just and honorable man. I wish that you might have loved any man but Zorzi, he said, almost as if speaking to himself. And why another, she asked, following up her advantage instantly. You would have had me marry a Trevizan, perhaps, or the son of any of the other great glassmakers. Is there one of them who you compare with Zorzi as an artist, let alone as a man? Look at those things he has made there on the table. Is there a man living who could make one of them? Not you yourself. You know it better than I do. No, answered Berviero. That is true. Nor is there anyone who could make the glass he used for them without the secrets that are in the book, and more too, for it is better than my own. Marietta looked at him in surprise. This was something she had not known. Is it not your glass? she asked. It is better. He must have added something to the composition set down in the book. You believe that although the book is safe, he has made use of it? Yes, I cannot see how it could be otherwise. Was the book sealed? Yes, and locked in an iron box. Here is the key. I always wear it. He drew out the small iron key and showed it to her. If you find the box locked and the seals untouched, will you believe that Zorzi has not opened the manuscript? Yes, answered Berviero after a moment's thought. I showed him the seal, and I remember that he said a man might make one like it. But I should know by the wax. I am sure I could tell whether it has been tampered with. Yes, I should believe that he had not opened the book if I found it as I loved it. Then will you be convinced that Zorzi is altogether innocent of the charges Giovanni made against him? Is that true? Yes, if he has learned the art in spite of the law, that is my fault, not his. He was unwise in selling the beaker to Giovanni. But what is that, after all? Promise me then, said Marietta, laying her hand upon her father's arm. Promise me that if Zorzi comes back, he shall be safe, and that you will trust him as you always have. Though he dares to be in love with you, though I dare to love him. Or apart from that, say that if it were not for that, you would treat him just as you were before you went away? Yes, I would, answered Berviero thoughtfully. The book is there, said Marietta. She pointed to the big earthen jar that contained the broken glass, and her father's eyes followed her hand. It is for Zorzi's sake that I tell you, she continued, the book is buried deep down amongst the broken bits. It will take a long time to get it out. Shall I call Pasquale to help us? No, answered her father. He went to the other end of the room and brought back the crowbar. Then he placed himself in a good position for striking and raised the iron high in the air with both his hands. Stand back, he cried as Marietta came nearer. The first blow knocked a large piece of earthenware from the side of the strong jar, and a quantity of broken red glass poured out, as red as blood from a wound, and fell with little crashes upon the stone floor. Berviero raised the crowbar again and again, and brought it down with all his might. At the fourth stroke the whole jar went to pieces, leaving nothing but a red heap of smashed glass round about which lay the big fragments of the jar. In the midst of the heap the corner of the iron box appeared, sticking up like a black stone. At last, exclaimed the old man, flushed with satisfaction, Giovanni had not thought of this. He cleared away the shivers and gently pushed the box out of its bed with the crowbar. He soon got it out on the floor, and with some precaution, lest any stray splinter should cut his fingers, he set it upon the table. Then he took the key from his neck and opened it. Marietta's belief in Zorzi had never wavered from the first, but Berviero was more than half sure that the book had been opened. He took it up with care, turned it over and over in his hands, scrutinized the seal, the strings, the knots, and saw that they were all his own. It is impossible that this should have been undone and tied up again, he said confidently. Anyone could see that at once, Marietta answered. Do you believe that Zorzi is innocent? I cannot help believing, but I do not understand. There is the red glass made by dropping the piece of copper into it. That is in the book, I am sure. It was an accident, said Marietta. The copper ladle fell into the glass. Zorzi told me about it. Are you sure? That is possible. The very same thing happened to Paola Godi, and that was how he discovered the color. But there is the white glass, which is so like mine, though it is better. That may have been an accident, too, or the Bori may have tried an experiment on mine by adding something to it. It is at least sure that the book has not been touched, and that is the main thing. You admit that he is quite innocent, do you not? Quite, quite innocent? Yes, I do. It would be very unjust not to admit it. Marietta drew a long breath of relief, for she had scarcely hoped to accomplish so much in so short a time. The rest would follow, she felt sure. I would give a great deal to see Zorzi at once, said her father at last, as he replaced the manuscript in the box and shut the lid. Not have as much as I would, Marietta almost laughed as she spoke. Father, she asked gently and resting one hand upon his shoulder, I have given you back your book. I have given you back the innocent man you trusted, instead of the villain invented by my brother. What will you give me? She smiled and rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. He shook his head a little and would not answer. Would it be so hard to say that you ask another year's time before the marriage? And then, you know, you could ask it again, and they would soon be tired of waiting and would break it off themselves. Do not suggest such woman's tricks to me, answered her father, but he could not help smiling. Oh, you may find a better way, Marietta said, but that would be so easy, would it not? Your daughter is so young, her health is somewhat delicate. She was interrupted by a knock at the door and a besqually entered. The senior Giovanni is without sir, said the porter. He desires to take leave of you as he is returning to his own house today. Let him come in, said Berviero, his face darkening all at once. End of Chapter 20. This recording by Michelle Fry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Chapter 21 of Marietta, a maid of Venice by Francis Marion Crawford. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 21. Giovanni entered the laboratory confidently, not even knowing that Marietta was with her father and not suspecting that he could have anything to fear from her. I have come to take leave of you, sir, he began going towards his father at once. He did not see the broken jar, which was at some distance from the door. Before you go, Berviero, said coldly, pray, look at this. Giovanni saw the box on the table, but did not understand, as he had never seen it before. His father again took the key from his neck and opened the casket. This is Paolo Godi's manuscript, he said, without changing his voice. You see, here is the book. The seal is unbroken. It is exactly as I left it when Zorzi and I buried it together. You suspected him of having opened it, and I confess that you made me suspect him too. For the sake of justice, convince yourself. Giovanni's face was drawn with lines of vexation and anxiety. It was hidden in the jar of broken glass, Berviero explained. You did not think of looking there. No, nor you, sir. I mean that you did not look there when you searched for it alone immediately after Zorzi was arrested. Giovanni was pale now, but he raised both hands and turned up his eyes as if calling upon heaven to witness his innocence. I swear to you, he began, on the body of the Blessed Saint Donatus, Berviero interrupted him. I did not ask you to swear by anything, he said. I know the truth, the less you say of what has happened, the better it will be for you in the end. I suppose my sister has been poisoning your mind against me as usual. Can she explain how her mantle came here? It does not concern you to know how it came here, answered Berviero, by your wholly unjustifiable haste to say nothing worse. You have caused an innocent man to be arrested, and his rescue and disappearance are much worse. I do not care to ask what your object has been. Keep it to yourself, pray, and do not remind me of this affair when we meet, for after all, you are my son. You came to take your leave, I think? Go home then, by all means. Without a word, Giovanni went out biting his thin lip and reflecting mournfully upon the change in his position since he had talked with his father in the morning. While they had been speaking, Marietta had gone to a little distance, affecting to unfold the mantle and fold it again according to feminine rules. As she heard the door shut again, she glanced at her father's face and saw that he was looking at her. I told you that I was learning patience today, he said. I longed to lay my hands on him. You frightened him much more by what you said, answered Marietta. Perhaps, never mind, he is gone. The question is how to find Zorzi. That is the first thing, and then we must undo the mischief Giovanni has done. I think Pascuali must have some clue by which we may find Zorzi, suggested Marietta. Pascuali was called at once. He stood with his legs bowed, holding his old cap in both hands, his small bloodshot eyes fixed on his master's face with a look of inquiry. He was more than ever like a savage old watchdog. Yes, sir. He said in answer to Veroviara's question, I can tell you something. Two men were looking on last night when Senior Giovanni made me open the door to the governor's soldiers. They wore hoods over their eyes, but I am certain that one of them was that Greek captain who came here one morning before you went away. When Zorzi came out, the Greek walked off up the footway and passed the bridge. The other waited until they were all gone until Senior Giovanni had come in. He whispered quickly in my ear, Zorzi is safe. Then he went after the others. I can see that he had a short staff hidden under his cloak, and that he was the man with the bones like an ox. But he was not so big a man as the captain. Then I knew that two such men who were seeming accustomed to using their hands quick on their feet and seeing well in the dark as we all do could pitch the officer over the tower of San Piero if they chose with all his sleazy crew of rubberly dressed up boobies armed with overgrown boat hooks. This I thought, and so it happened, that is what I know. But why should captain Arastarci care whether Zorzi was arrested or not, asked Veroviara? No. This the saints may know in paradise answered Pasquale, but not I. Has the captain been here again? Asked Veroviara, completely puzzled. No, sir. But I should have told you that one morning there came a patrician of Venice, Messer Zwan Vanier, who wished to see you being a friend of Messer Giacopo Contorini, and when he heard that you were away from Zorzi and stayed some time. I know him by name, said Veroviara, but there can be no connection between him and this Greek. Pasquale snarled and showed his teeth at the mere idea for his instinct told him that Arastarci was a pirate or had been one, and he was by no means sure that the Greek had carried off Zorzi for any good purpose. Pasquale, said Veroviara, since you have had a holiday, take this gift tomorrow morning and go over to Venice. You are a seaman, and you can easily find out from the sailors about the Guardici who this Arastarci really is and where he lives. Then try to see him and tell him that Zorzi is innocent of all the charges against him and that if he will come back, I will protect him. Can you do that? Pasquale gave signs of great satisfaction at the same time, and his lids drew themselves into a hundred wrinkles till his eyes seemed no bigger than two red morano beads. Then Veroviara and Marietto went back to the house and the young girl carried the folded mantle under her cloak. Before going to her own room she opened it out as if it had been worn and dropped it behind the bench box in the large room and in due time it was found by one of the men's servants who brought it back to Nella. You are so careless, my pretty lady, cried the serving woman holding up her hands. Yes, answered Marietto. I know it. So careless, repeated Nella, nothing has any value for you. Someday you will forget you are faced in the mirror and go away without it and then they will say it is Nella's fault. Marietto laughed lightly and was happy. It was clear that everything was to end well though it might be long before her father would consent to let her marry Zorzi. She felt quite sure that he was safe though he might lie far away by this time. Veroviara returned it once to the governor's house and did his best to undo the mischief. But to his unspeakable disappointment he found that the governor's report had already gone to the council of ten and the governor had passed altogether out of his hands. The council would certainly find Zorzi if he were in Venice and within two or three days at the utmost if not within a few hours. For the seniors of the night were very vigilant and their men knew every hiding place in Venice. Zorzi, said the governor, would certainly be taken into custody unless he had escaped to the mainland. Veroviara could have wrung his hands for sheer despair and when he told Marietta the result of his second visit to the governor her heart sank. Zorzi's danger was greater than ever before and it was not likely that a man who had been so mysteriously rescued to the manifest injury and disgrace of those who were taking him to prison could escape torture. He would certainly be suspected of connivance with secret enemies of the republic. Veroviara thought him of the friends he had in Venice to whom he might apply for help in his difficulty. In the first place there was Mr. Luigi Fascarini, a procurator of Saint Mark, but he had not been long in office and he would probably not wish to be concerned in any matter which tended to oppose authority. And there was old Contarini who was himself one of the ten. Veroviara knew his character well and judged that he would not be lenient towards anyone who had been forcibly rescued no matter how innocent he might be. Moreover, the law against foreigners who attempted to work in glass was in force and very stringent. Contarini, like many over wise men who had no control over their own children, was always for excessive severity in all processes of the law. Veroviara thought of some others, but against each one he found some real objection. Sitting in his chair after supper he talked earnestly of the matter with Marietta, who sat opposite him with her work by the large brass lamp. For the present he had almost forgotten the question of her marriage for all his former affection for Zorzi had returned with the conviction of his innocence. And the case was very urgent. That very night Zorzi might be found and on the next morning he might be brought before the ten marietta thought with terror of the awful tales Nella had told her about the little torture chamber behind the hall of the council. Who is that missers one vineyard who came to see Zorzi, asked Marietta suddenly. A young man who fought very bravely in the east, I believe, answered Veroviara, his father was the admiral of the republic for some time. He has talked with Zorzi, but Squally said so. He must have liked him, of course, and none of the other patricians you have mentioned have ever seen him. Missers one is not in office and has nothing to lose. Perhaps he will be willing to use his influence with his father. If only the ten could know the whole truth before Zorzi is brought before them it would be very different. Veroviara saw that there was some wisdom in applying to a younger man like Zvon Venier who had nothing at stake. And since Venier had come to visit him there could be nothing strange in his returning the courtesy as soon as he conveniently could. On the following morning, therefore, the master betook himself to Venice in his gondola. Piscuali was already gone in the skiff on the errand entrusted to him. He had judged it best not to put on his Sunday clothes, nor his clean shirt, nor to waste time in improving his appearance at the barbers for he had been shaved on Saturday night as usual and the week was not yet half over. Hidden in the bow of the little boat there lay his provision for the day half a loaf of bread a thick slice of cheese and two onions with an earthen bottle of water. With these supplies the old sailor knew he could roam the canals of Venice for twenty-four hours if he chose and he also had some money in case it seemed wise to ply an acquaintance with a little strong wine in order to promote conversation. The morning was sultry and a light haze hung over the islands at sunrise, which is by no means unusual. Piscuali sniffed the air as he rode himself through the narrow canals. There was a mingled smell of stagnant salt water, cabbage stalks, watermelons and wood smoke long unfamiliar to him and reminding him pleasantly of his childhood. Wherever a bit of stone pier ran along by an open space scores of olive-skinned boys were bathing and as he passed they yelled at him and splashed him. Many a time he had done the same long ago and had sometimes got a sharp knock from the blade of an oar for his pains. The high walls made brown shadows that struck across the greenish water, shivering away to long streaks of broken light and shade and trying to dance and rock themselves together for a moment before a passing boat disturbed them again. In the shade boats were moored, laden with fresh vegetables and with jars of milk brought in from the islands and the mainland before dawn. From open windows here and there red-haired women with dark eyes looked down idly and breathed the morning air for a few minutes before beginning their household work. The bells of St. John and St. Paul were ringing to low mass and a few old women with black shawls over their heads and wooden clogs on their feet made a faint clattering as they struggled to the door. It was long since Pasquale had been in Venice. He could not remember exactly how many years had passed but the city had changed little and still after many centuries there is but little and slow change. The ways and turnings were familiar to him as ever and would have been unforgotten if he had never taken the trouble to cross the lagoon again to his dying day. The soft sounds, the violent colors the splendid gloom of deep arched halls that went straight from the great open door at the water's edge to the shadowy heart of the palace within. The boatmen polishing the metal work of their gondolas with brick dust and olive oil. The servants still in rough working clothes sweeping the steps and trimming off the charred hemp wicks of torches that had been used in the night. The single woman's voice far overhead that broke the silence of some narrow way singing its song for sheer gladness of an idle heart. It was all as it used to be and Pasquale had a dim consciousness that he loved it better than his dreary little den in Marano and better than his Sunday walk as far as San Donato when all the handsome women and pretty girls of the smaller people were laughing away the cool hours and showing off their little fineries. It was but a vague suggestion of a sentiment with him and no more. He knew that he should starve if he came back to Venice and what was the pleasant smell of the cabbage stocks and watermelons that it should compare with the security of daily bread and lodging with some money to spare and two suits of clothes every year which his master gave him in return for keeping a single door shut. He pushed out upon the grand canal where as yet there were few boats and no gondolas at all and soon he turned the corner of the salute and rode out slowly upon the Guideca where the merchant vessels lay at anchor large and small, galliots and falucas and many a broad abacolo from the Istrian coast with huge spreading bows and Haas ports painted scarlet like great red eyes. The old sailor's heart was gladdened by the side of them and as he rested on his single oar he gently cursed the land and all land locked places and rivers and fresh water and all lakes and inland canals and wished himself once more on the high seas with a stout vessel, a lazy captain a dozen hard-fisted shipmates in a quarter of a century less to his account of years. He had been dreaming a little and now he bent to the oar again and sent this gift quietly along by the pier looking out for any idle seamen who might be led into conversation. Before long he spied a couple sitting on the edge of the stones near some steps fishing with long canes. He passed them of course without looking at them lest they should suspect that he had come their way purposely and he made this gift fast by the stair after which he sat down on a thwart and stared vacantly at things in general being careful not to bestow a glance on the two men presently one of them caught a small fish and Pasquale judged that the moment for scraping and acquaintance had begun. He went ahead and watched how the man unhooked the fish and dropped it flapping into a basket made of half-dried rushes. There are no whales in the canal he observed. There are not even too many fish but what there is it seems that you know how to catch. I do what I can according to my little skill answered the man it passes the time and then it is always something to eat with the bread. As Pasquale answered, a roasted fish on bread with a little oil is very savory. As for passing the time I suppose that you are looking for a ship. Of course the man replied if we had a ship we should not be here fishing it is a bad time of the year you must know for most of the Venetian vessels are at sea and we do not care to ship with any Neapolitan captain who chances to have starved some crew to death. I have heard of a rich Greek merchant captain who has been in Venice some time observed Pasquale carelessly he will be looking out for a crew before long. Is Captain Aristarchie going to see at last? Ask the man who had not spoken yet or do you mean some other captain? That is the name I believe said Pasquale it was an outlandish name like that. Do you ever see him about the docks? I saw him once a piece of man I tell you with bones like a bull and a face like a bear. He is not often seen answered the man who had spoken last that is his slip over there between the Trabacolo and the Dismastered Hulk. I see her return to Pasquale at once a thorough Greek she is too by her looks tough if she is only waiting for a cargo with two or three hands on board. The men laughed a little at Pasquale's ignorance concerning the vessel she has a full crew she is always ready for sea at any moment with provisions and water. No one can understand what the captain means nor why he is here nor why he is willing to pay 20 men for doing nothing. Does the captain live on board of her? Not he he is amusing himself in Venice. He is hired a house by the month and not far from the Baker's bridge and there he has been living for a long time. He must be very rich. Observed Pasquale who had found out what he wished to know but was too wise to let the conversation drop too abruptly. From what you say however he needs no more hands on his vessel. It is not for us, answered the men, we will ship with a captain we know and with shipmates from our own country who are Christians and understand the compass. This he said because all sea-going vessels did not carry a compass in those days. And until we can pick up a ship we like and the other man, we will live on bread and water and if we catch a fish now and then in the canal so much the better. Pasquale cast off the bit of line that moored his skiff, shipped his single oar and with a parting word to the men he pushed off. You're quite right, he said. Hey, a roast fish is a savory thing. They nodded to him and again became intent on their pastime. Pasquale rode faster than before and he passed close under the stern of the Greek vessel. The mate was leaning over the taff rail under the poop awning. He was dressed in baggy garments of spotless white. His big blue cap was stuck far back on his head and his strong brown arms were bare to the elbow. He looked as broad as he was long. Is the captain on board, sir? Asked Pasquale at a venture but looking at the mate with interest. He expected that he would answer the question in the negative by sticking out his jaw and drawing his head a little backward. To his surprise, the mate returned his gaze a moment and then stood upright. Keep under the counter, he said in fairly good Italian. I will go and see if the captain is in his cabin. Pasquale waited and in a few moments the mate returned dropped the Jacobs ladder over the taff rail and made it fast on board. Pasquale hitched the painter of the skiff to the end that hung down and went up easily enough in spite of his age and stiffened joints. He climbed over the rail and stood beside the mate. The instant his feet touched the white deck, he wished he had put on his Sunday hose and his clean shirt. He touched his cap as he assuredly would not have done ashore to anyone but his master. You seem to have been a sailor, said the Greek mate in an approving tone. Yes, sir, answered Pasquale. Is Zorzi still safe? The captain will tell you about Zorzi, was the mate's answer as he led the way. Aristargy was seated with one leg under him on an iron transom, over which was spread a priceless Persian silk carpet such as the richest patrician in Venice would have hung on the wall like a tapestry of great value. He looked at Pasquale and the latter heard the door shut behind him. In the same instant a well known voice greeted him by name as Zorzi himself appeared from the inner cabin. I did not expect to find you so soon, said the porter with a growl of satisfaction. I wish you had found him sooner, laughed Aristargy carelessly, and since you are here I hope you will carry him off with you and never let me see his face again till all this disturbance is over. I would rather have carried off the doge himself with his precious velvet cap on his head than have taken this fellow the other night. All Venice's after him, I was just going to drown him to get rid of him. There was a sort of savage good nature in the Greeks tone which was reassuring in spite of his ferocious looks and words. You would have been hanged if you had observed Pasquale in answer to the last words. Zorzi was evidently none the worse for what had happened to him since his arrest and unexpected aggression. He was not the sort that suffered by the imagination when there is real danger, for he had plenty of good sense. Pasquale told him that the master had returned. We knew it yesterday, Zorzi answered. The captain seems to know everything. Listen to me friend quarter, Aristargy said. If you will take this young fellow with you I shall be obliged to you. I took him from the governor's man out of mere kindness in part because I liked him the first time I saw him. But the ten are determined to get him into their hands and I have no fancy to go with him and answer for the half a dozen crowns my maid and I broke in that frolic at Morano. Pasquale's small eyes twinkled at the thought of the discomforted archers. We have changed our lodgings three times since yesterday afternoon continued Aristargy and I am tired of carrying this bottle blower up and down rope ladders when the seniors of the night are at the door. So, drop him over the rail into your boat and let me lead a peaceful life. Ha ha, like an honest merchant captain as you are added Pasquale with a grin. We have been anxious for you he added looking at Zorzi. The master is in Venice this morning to see his friends on your behalf I think. If we go back openly as Zorzi said we may both be taken at any moment. If they catch me answered Pasquale they will heed me overboard I'm not worth salting but they need not catch either of us once in the laboratory at Morano they will never find you that is the one place they will not look for you. The mate put his head down through the small hatch overhead. I do not like the look of a boat sir from St. George's. Aristotle sprang to his feet pick him up and drop him into the porter's skiff he said I am sick of dancing with this fellow in my arms. With incredible ease Aristotle took Zorzi around the waist, mounted the cabin table and passed him up through the hatch to the mate who had already brought him to the Jacob's ladder at the stern before Pasquale could get there by the ordinary way. Quick man said the mate as the old sailor climbed over the rail. At the same time he slipped the bite of short rope around Zorzi's body under his arms and got a turn around the rail with both parts so as to lower him easily so as he helped himself as well as he could and in a few moments he was lying in the bottom of the skiff covered with a piece of sacking which the mate threw down the rope ladder was hauled up and disappeared and when Pasquale glanced back as he rode slowly away the mate was leaning over the taff rail in an attitude of easy unconcern. The old porter had smuggled a more than one bale of rich goods ashore in his young days for a captain who had a dislike of the customs and he knew that his chance of safety lay not in speed but in showing a cool indifference. He might have dropped down the Quideka at a good rate for the tide was fair but he preferred a direction to take him right across the course of the boat which the mate had seen coming as if he were on his way to the Lido. The officer of the ten with four men in plain brown coats and leather belts sat in the stern of the eight oared launch and swept swiftly past the skiff towards the vessels at anchor. Pasquale rested on his oar a moment and turned to look with an air of interest that would have disarmed any suspicions the officer might have entertained but he had none and did not bestow a second glance on the little craft with its shabby oarsmen. Then Pasquale began to row again with the long even stroke that had no air of haste about it but which kept the skiff at a good speed. When he saw that he was out of hearing of other boats and heading for the Lido he began to tell what he intended to do next in a low monotonous tone glancing down now and then at Zorzi's face that cautiously peered at him from the folds of the sackcloth I will tell you when to cover yourself he said speaking at the horizon we shall have to spend the day under one of the islands I have some bread and cheese and water and there are onions. When it is night I will just slip into our canal at Morano and you can sleep in the laboratory as if you had never left it and if they find me there they cannot say that I am hiding said Zorzi with a low laugh Lilo said Pasquale softly there is a buff coming for ten minutes neither spoke and Zorzi lay quite still covering his face when the danger was past Pasquale began to talk again and told him all he himself knew of what had happened which was not much but which included the assurance that the master was for him and had turned against Giovanni as for me said Zorzi by and by when they were moored to a stake far out in the lagoon I was whirled from place to place by those two men till I did not know where I was when they first carried me off they made me lie in the bottom of their boat as I am lying now and they took me to a house somewhere near the baker's bridge do you know the house of Anjou's day Pasquale grunted it was not far from that he continued Aristotle lives there the mate went back to the ship I suppose and Aristotle's servant gave us supper then we slept quietly till morning and I stayed there all day but Aristotle thought it would not be safe to keep me in his house the next night that was last night he said he feared that a certain lady had guessed where I was he is a mysterious individual this Greek so I was taken somewhere else by the boat after dark I do not know where it was but I think it must have been the garret of some tavern where they play dice after midnight I heard a great commotion below me and presently Aristotle she appeared at the window with a rope he always seems to have a coil of rope within reach he tied me to him it was like being tied to a wild horse and he got us safely down from the window to the boat again and they took me to the ship faster than I was ever rode in my life you know the rest all through the long July day they lay in the fierce sun shading themselves with the sacking as best they could but when it was dark at last Pasquale cast off and headed this gift for Moreno End of Chapter 21 Chapter 22 of Marietta a maid of Venice Princess Marion Crawford this Levervox recording is in the public domain Jacopo Contabini's luck at dice had changed of late and his friends no longer spoke of losing like him but of winning as he did on almost every throw nevertheless said Big Fascari to Juan Venier his love affairs seemed to prosper the Georgian is as beautiful as ever and he's going to marry a rich wife it was the afternoon of the day on which Zorzi had left Aristarchie's ship and the two patricians were lounging in the shady Merceria where the overhanging balconies of the wooden houses almost met above and the merchants sat below in the windows of their deep shops on the little platforms which were at once counters and window seals the street smelt of eastern silks and Spanish leather and of the Egyptian pastiles which the merchants of perfumery burnt in order to attract custom I am not qualmish answered Venier languidly yet it sickens me to think of the life Jacopo means to lead I am sorry for the glassmaker's daughter Fascari left carelessly the idea that a woman should be looked upon as anything more than a slave or an object of prey had never occurred to him but Venier did not smile since we speak of glassmakers he said Jacopo is doing his best to get that unlucky dalmatian imprisoned and banished Old Beroviaro came to see me this morning and told me a long story about it which I cannot possibly remember but it seems to me you understand he spoke in low tones for the Merceria was crowded Fascari who was one of those who took most seriously the ceremonial of the secret society while not carrying a straw for its political side looked very grave it is of no use to say that the poor fellow is only a glassblower Venier continued there are men besides patricians in the world and good men too I mean to tell Contarini what I think of it tonight I will too said Fascari at once and I intend to use all the influence my family has to obtain a fair hearing for the Dalmatian I hope you will help me amongst us we can reach every one of the council of ten except old Contarini who has the soul of a schoolmaster in the intelligence of a crab if I did not like the fellow I suppose I should let him be hanged several times rather than to take so much trouble sins of omission are my strongest point I have always surprised my confessor at Easter by the extraordinary number of things I have left undone I dare say laughed Fascari but I remember that you were not too lazy to save me from drowning when I fell into the Grand Canal in Carnival I forgot that the water was so cold said Venier if I had guessed how chilly it was I should certainly not have pulled you out there is the old Hussain at his window let us go in and drink sherbet we shall find Mussonigo and Laura Dan there answered Fascari they shall promise to help the glassblower too they nodded to the Persian merchant who saluted them by extending his hand toward the ground as if to take up dust then bringing it to his forehead he was very fat and his pear shaped face might have been carved out of white cheese the two young men went in by the small door at the side of the window counter and disappeared into the interior at the back of the shop there was a private room with a lattice window that looked out upon a narrow canal it was one of the many places where the young Venetians met in the afternoon to play dice undisturbed on pretense of examining Hussain's splendid carpets and oriental silks moreover Hussain's wife always invisible but ever near had a marvelous gift for making fruit sherbet cooled with the snow that was brought down daily from the mountains on the mainland in dripping bales covered with straw matting Loreden and Mussonigo were already there as Hussain had anticipated eating pistachio nuts and sipping sherbet through rice straws out of tall glasses from Moreno it was a very safe place for Hussain's knowledge of the Italian language was of a purely commercial character embracing every numerical infraction common or uncommon and the names of all the hundreds of foreign coins that passed current in Venice together with a half a dozen necessary phrases and his invisible but occasionally audible wife understood no Italian at all also Hussain was always willing to lend any young patrician money with which to pay his losses at the modest rate of seven dukkes to be paid every week for the use of each hundred which one of the youths who had a turn for arithmetic had discovered to be only about 364% yearly whereas Casadio, the Hebrew had a method of his own by which he managed to get about 580% it was therefore a real economy to frequent Hussain's shop in spite of his pretended forgetfulness Veniero remembered every word that Beroviaro had told him and indolently as he talked his whole nature was roused to defend Zorzi in his heart he despised Contarini and hoped that his marriage might never take place for he was sincerely sorry for Marietta but it was Giacopo's behavior towards Zorzi that called forth his wrath it was the man's disdainful assumption that because Zorzi was not a patrician the oath to defend every companion of the society was not binding where he was concerned it was the insolent certainty that the others should all be glad to be rid of the poor Dalmatian who after all had not troubled them much with his company on that very evening they were to meet at the house of Anous Dei and Veniero was determined to speak his mind when he chose to exert himself his influence over his companions was very great if not supreme he soon brought Mosnego and Lauriden to share his opinion and to promise the support of all their many relations in Zorzi's favor and the four began to play for lack of anything better to do before long others of the society came in and as each arrived Veniero who only played in order not to seem as unsociable as he generally felt set down the dice box to gain over a new ally an hour had passed when Contorini himself appeared even more magnificent than usual his beautiful waving beard most carefully trimmed and combed as if to show it to its greatest advantage against the purple silk of a surcoat cut in a new fashion and which he was wearing for the first time his white hands were splendid with jeweled rings and he wore at his belt a large wallet purse embroidered in Constantinople before the coming of the Turks and adorned with three enameled images of saints Hussein himself ushered him in as if he were the guest of honor as the Persian merchant indeed considered him for none of the others had ever paid him half so many seven weekly ducats for money borrowed in all their lives as Jacopo had often paid in a single year there are men whom no one respects very highly who are not sincerely trusted whose honor is not spotless and whose ways are far from straight but who nevertheless hold a certain ascendancy over others by mere show and assurance when Contorini entered a place where many were gathered together there was almost always a little hush in the talk followed by a murmur that was pleasant in his ear no one paused to look at Swan Venier when he came into a room though there was not one of his friends who would not have gone to him in danger or difficulty without so much as thinking of Contorini as a possible helper in trouble but it was almost impossible not to feel a sort of artistic at Jacopo's extraordinary beauty of face and figure if not at the splendid garments in which he delighted to array himself it was with a slight condescension that he greeted the group of players some of whom at once made a place for him at the table they had been ready enough to stand by Venier against him in Zorzi's defense but unless Venier led the way there was not one of them who would think of opposing him or taking him to task for what was like a betrayal Venier returned his greeting with some coldness which Contorini hardly noticed as his reception by others had been sufficiently flattering then they began to play Jacopo won from the first Fuscari bent his heavy eyebrows and tugged at his beard angrily as he lost one throw after another the cold sweat stood on Mosenigo's forehead in beads as he risked more and more and Laura Mosen's hand trembled when it was his turn to take up the dice box against Contorini for they played a game in which each threw against all the rest in succession you cannot say that the dice are loaded left Contorini at last for they are your own the delicacy of the thought is only exceeded by the good taste that expresses it observed Venier you are sarcastic my friend answered Jacopo shaking the dice it is your turn with me Jacopo threw first Venier followed him and lost that is my last throw he said as he pushed the remains of his small heap of gold across to Contorini I have no more money today nor shall I have tomorrow Hussain has plenty suggested Fuscari who hoped that Contorini's luck would desert him before long at this rate he will need all he has returned Venier with a careless laugh before long more than one of the players was obliged to call in the ever complacent Persian merchant and the heap of gold grew in front of Jacopo till he could hardly keep it together it is true that you have been losing for years said Mosonigo trying to laugh but we did not think you would win back all your losses in a day you shall have your revenge tonight answered Contorini rising I am expected at a friend's house at this hour his large wallet was so full of gold that he could hardly draw the strong silk and strings together and tie them a friend's house left Loreden who had lost somewhat less than the others it would give us much delight to know the color of the lady's hair to this Contorini answered only by a smile which was not devoid of satisfaction take care said Fuscari gloomily contemplating the chair table before him over which so much of his good gold had slipped away take care, look at play mischance in love says the proverb oh in that case I congratulate you my dear friend returned Contorini gaily the others laughed at the retort and the party broke up though all did not go at once Venier went out alone while two or three walked with Contorini to his gondola behind in the shop and made old Hussain unroll his choicest carpets and show them his most precious embroideries though he protested that it was already much too dark to appreciate such choice things but they did not wish to be seen coming away in a body for such playing was very strictly forbidden and the spies of the ten were everywhere Contorini dismissed his gondola at the house of Anus Dei and was admitted by the trusted servant who had once taken a message to Zorzi he found Arissa waiting for him in her favorite place by the open window and the glow of the setting sun made little fires in her golden hair she could tell by his face that he had been fortunate at play and her smile was very soft and winning as he sank down beside her in the luxurious silence of satisfaction her fingers were stealthily trying the weight of his laden wallet and she could not lift it with one hand she smiled again as she thought how easily Aristarchie would carry the money in his teeth well tied and knotted in a kerchief when he slipped down the silk rope from her window though it would be much wiser to exchange it for pearls and diamonds which Contorini might see and admire and which she could easily take with her in her final flight he trusted her too in his careless way she was ready to go down and admit his companions he would empty most of the gold into a little coffer in which he often left the key taking but just enough to play with and almost sure of winning more she was very gentle on that evening when the sun had gone down and they sat in the deepening dusk and she spoke sadly of not seeing him for several hours it would be so lonely she said and since he could play in the daytime how should he give up half of one precious night to those tiresome dice he laughed indolently pleased that she should not even suspect the real object of the meetings by and by when it was an hour after dark and they had eaten of delicate things which the silent old woman brought them on small silver platters Contorini went down to let in his guests and Arisa was alone as usual on such evenings for a long time she laid quite still among the cushions in the dark for Giacopo had taken the light with him she loved to be in the darkness as she always told him and for very good reasons and she had so accustomed herself to it as to see almost as well as Arisa Starchi himself for whom she was waiting at last she heard the expected signal of his coming the soft and repeated splashing of an oar in the water just below the window she was in the inner room to receive him in her straining arms longing to be have crushed to death in his but tonight even as he held her in the first embrace of meeting she felt that something had happened and that there was a change in him she drew him to the little light that burned in her chamber before the image and looked into his face terrified at the thought of what she might see there he smiled at her and raised his shaggy eyebrows as if to ask if she really distrusted him yes he said nodding his big head slowly something has happened you are quick at guessing we are going tonight there is moonlight and the tide will serve in two or three hours get ready what you need and put together the jewels and the money tonight cried Arisa very much surprised tonight do you really mean it yes I am an earnest Michael has emptied my house of all my belongings today and has taken the keys back to the owner we have plenty of time for I suppose those overgrown boys are playing at dice downstairs and I think I shall take leave of Contorini in person you are capable of anything laughter Arisa I should like to see you tear him into little strips so that every shred should keep alive to be tortured how amiable what gentle thoughts you have indeed you women are sweet cruisers with her small white hand she gestingly pretended to box his huge ears you would be well paid if I refused to go with you she said with a low laugh but I should like to know why you have decided so suddenly what is the matter what is to become of all our plans and of Contorini's marriage tell me quickly I have had a visit from an officer of the 10 today the 10 send me greeting as it were and their service and kindly invite me to leave Venice within 24 hours as the 10 are the only persons in Venice for whom I have the smallest respect I shall show it by accepting their invitation but why what have you done of course it is not a serious matter to give a sound beating to an officer of justice and six of his men answered Erestarci but it is not the custom here and they suspect me of having done it to tell the truth I think I am hardly treated I have sent Sorzi back to Murano and if the 10 have the sense to look for him where he has been living for five years they will find him at once at work in that stifling furnace room but I fancy that is too simple for them he told her how Pasquale had come in the morning and how the officer who had been in pursuit of him had searched the ship for Sorzi in vain the order to leave Venice had come an hour later the anchors were now up and the vessel was riding to the cage by a light hauser well out in the channel as soon as Eresta could be brought on board Erestarci meant to make sail but the strong offshore breeze would blow all night we may as well leave nothing behind said Erestarci Cooley Michael will wait for us below in one of the ship's boats there is room for all Contagrini's possessions if we can only get at them would it not be better to be content with what we have already and to go at once asked Eresta rather timidly no replied Erestarci I am going to say goodbye to your old friend in my own way do you mean to kill him asked Eresta in a whisper though it was quite safe for them to talk in little tones I could go behind him and throw something over his head Erestarci grinned and pressed her beautiful head to his breast caressing her with his rough hands you are as bloodthirsty as a little Tigris he said no I do not even mean to hurt him oh I hoped you would answered the Georgian woman I have hated him so long will you not kill him just to please me find him in a sheet with a weight you know and drop him into the canal and no one would ever know I have often thought of it have you my gentle little sweetheart Erestarci chuckled with delight as he stroked her hair I am sorry he continued the fact is I am not a Georgian like you I have been brought up among people of civilization and I have scruples about killing anyone besides sweet dove one of the council of ten the council would pursue us wherever we went for Venice is very powerful but the ten will not lift a hand to revenge a good for nothing young gamester whose slave has run away with her first love everyone will laugh at Contorini if he tries to get redressed it is better to laugh than to be laughed at it is better to be laughed at than to cry it is better to cry one's eyes blind than to be hanged having delivered himself of these opinions Erestarci began to look about him for whatever might be worth the trouble of carrying off and Eryssa collected all her jewels from the caskets in which they were kept and little bags of gold coins which she had hidden in different places she also lit a candle and brought Erestarci to the small coffer in which Contorini kept ready gold for play and which was now more than half full the dowry of the glassmaker's daughter observed the Greek as he carried it off there were small objects of gold and silver on the tables in the large room there was a dagger with a jeweled hilt an illuminated mass book and a chased silver case you will need it on Sundays at sea said Erestarci I cannot read said the Georgian slave regretfully but it will be a consolation to have the missile Erestarci smiled and tossed the book upon the heap of things it would be amusing to pay a visit to those young fools downstairs and to take all their money and leave them locked up for the night he said as if a thought had struck him there are too many of them answered Eryssa laying her hand anxiously upon his arm and they are all armed please do nothing so foolish if they are all like Contorini I do not mind 20 of them are so left Erestarci must have more than a thousand gold ducats amongst them that would be worth taking they are not all like Contorini said Eryssa there is one veneer for instance is one veneer is he one of them I have heard of him I should like to see whether he could be frightened for they say it is impossible Erestarci scratched his head pushing his shaggy hair forward over his forehead to think of an effectual scheme for producing the desired result the tin might pursue us for that as well as for a murder meanwhile the friends assembled in the room downstairs had been occupied for a long time in hearing once one veneer had to say to Jacopo Contorini concerning the latter's treatment of Zorzi for a veneer had kept his word and as soon as all were present he had boldly spoken his mind which his friends were not accustomed to hear at first Contorini had answered with offended surprise asking what concern it could be of veneers whether a miserable glassblower were exiled or not and he appealed to the others asking whether it would not be far better for them all that such an outsider as Zorzi should be banished from Venice but veneer retorted that the Dalmatian had taken the same oath as the rest of the company as the last man besides being a great artist as his master a-severated and that he had the same right to the protection of each and all of them as Contorini himself to the latter's astonishment this speech was received with unanimous approbation and every man present except Contorini promised his help and that of his family so far as he might obtain it I have advised a Bero Vero veneer then continued if he can find the young artist to make him go before the council of ten of his own free will taking some of his works with him and now that this question is settled I propose to you all that our society cease to have any political or revolutionary aim whatever for I am of opinion that we are risking our necks for a game at Dice and for nothing else which is childish the only liberty we are vindicating so far as I can see is that of gaming as much as we please and if we do that and nothing more we shall certainly not go between the red columns for it a fine or a few months of banishment to the mainland would be the worst that could happen as things are now we are not only in danger of losing our heads at any moment which is an affair of merely relative importance but we may be tempted to make light of a solemn promise which seems to me a very grave matter there upon veneer looked around the table and almost all the men were of his opinion Contorini flushed angrily but he knew himself to be in the wrong and though he was no coward he had not the sort of temper that faces opposition for its own sake he therefore began to rattle the dice in the box as a hint to all that the discussion was at an end but his good fortune seemed gone and instead of winning at almost every throw as he had won in the afternoon he soon found that he had almost exhausted the heap of gold that he had laid on the table in which he had thought more than enough he staked the remainder with foscari who won it at a cast and laughed you offered us your revenge said the big man we mean to take it but though Contorini was not a good fighter he was a good gamester and never allowed himself to be disturbed by ill luck he joined in the laugh and rose from the table you must forgive me he said if I leave you for a moment I must fill my purse before I play again do not stay too long laughed Laura then if you do we shall come and get you and then we shall know the color of the lady's hair Contorini laughed as he went to the door and opened it and stealthily set the key in the lock on the outside I shall lock you in while I am gone he cried you are far too inquisitive laughing gaily he turned the key on the whole company and he heard their answering laughter as he went away for they accepted the jest and continued playing he entered the large room upstairs just as Aristarchie had finished tying up the heavy bundle in the inner chamber Arissa heard the well known footstep and placed one hand over Aristarchie's mouth while the other pointed to the curtain door the Greek held his breath Arissa Arissa Contorini called out bring me a light sweetest without hesitation Arissa took the lighted candle and making a gesture of warning to Aristarchie went quickly to the other room the Greek crept towards the door the big veins standing out like knots on his rugged temples his great hands opened wide with the tips of his fingers a little turned in he was like a wrestler ready to get his hold with a spring I want some more money Contorini was saying in explanation they said they would follow me if I stayed too long so I have locked them in I think I shall keep them waiting a while what do you say love he laughed again allowed and on the other side of the curtain Aristarchie grinned from ear to ear and noiselessly loosened the black sash he wore around his waist for once in his life as Zorsi would have said he had not a coil of rope at hand when he needed it but the sash was strong and would serve the purpose he pushed the curtain aside a very little in order to see before springing Contorini stood half turned away from the door clasping Arissa to his breast and kissing her the next moment he was sprawled on the floor face downward and Arissa was pressing one of the soft cushions from the divan upon his head to smother his cries while Aristarchie bound his hands firmly together behind him with one end of the long sash and in spite of his desperate struggle got a turn with the rest round both his feet drew them back as far as he could and hitched the end twice Jakopa was now perfectly helpless but he was not yet dumb Aristarchie had brought his tools with him in the bosom of his doublet kneeling on Contorini's shoulders he took out a small iron instrument shaped exactly like a pear but which by a screw placed where the stem would be could be made to open out in four parts that spread like the petals of a flower Arissa looked on with savage interest for she believed that it was some horrible instrument of torture and indeed it was the iron gag the pair of anguish which the torturers used in those days to silence those whom they called their patients holding the instrument closed Aristarchie pushed his hand under the cushion he knew that Contorini's mouth would be open as he must be half suffocated and gasping for breath in an instant the iron pear had slipped between his teeth and had opened its relentless leaves obedience to the screw take the pillow away said Aristarchie quietly we can say goodbye to your old acquaintance now but he will have to content himself with nodding his head in a friendly way he turned the helpless man upon his side prowing to the position of his heels and hands Contorini could not lie on his back then Aristarchie set the candle on the floor near his face and looked at him and indulged himself in a low laugh Contorini's face was deep red with rage and suffocation and his beautiful brown eyes were starting from their sockets with a terror which increased when he saw the man with whom he had to deal or rather who was about to deal with him and most probably without mercy then he caught sight of Arissa smiling at him but not as she had been want to smile Aristarchie spoke at last in an easy reassuring tone my friend he said I am not going to hurt you anymore you may think it's strange but I really shall not kill you Arissa and I have loved each other and since she has lived here I have come to her almost every night I know your house almost as well as you do and you have kindly told me that your friends are all locked in we shall therefore not have the trouble of leaving by the window since we can go out by the front door where my boat will be waiting for us you will never see us again Contorini's eyes rolled wildly and still Arissa smiled you have made him suffer she said he loved me before we go continued the Greek folding his arms and looking down upon his miserable enemy I think it fair to warn you that under the praying stool in Arissa's room there is an air shaft through which we have heard all your conversation during these secret meetings of yours if you try to pursue us I shall send the information to the ten which will cut off most of your heads as they are so empty it might seem to be scarcely worthwhile to take them but the ten know best I can rely on your discretion if I were not sure of it I would accede to this dear lady's urgent request and cut you up into small pieces Contorini writhed and sputtered but could make no sound I promised not to hurt you anymore my friend and I am a man of my word but I have long admired your hair and beard in St. Mark's when you went there to meet the glassmaker's daughter and I have seen you at other times I should be sorry never to see such a beautiful beard again so I mean to take it with me and if you will keep quiet I shall really not hurt you thereupon he produced from his doublet a bright pair of shears and knelt down by the wretched man's head Contorini twisted himself as he might and tried instinctively to draw his head away I have heard that pirates sometimes accidentally cut off a prisoner's ears at Aristarci if you will not move I am quite sure that I shall not be so awkward as to do that Contorini now lay motionless and Aristarci went to work with the utmost neatness he cropped off the silky hair so close to Jacopo's skull that it almost looked as if he had been shaved with a razor in the same way he clipped the splendid beard away and even the brown eyebrows till there was not a hair left on Contorini's head or face then he contemplated his work and laughed at the weak jaw and the womanish mouth you look like an ugly woman in man's clothes he said by way of consoling his victim he rose now for he feared lest Contorini's friends might break open the door downstairs he shouldered the heavy bundle with ease, set his blue cap on the back of his head and bade Arissa go with him she had her mantle ready but she could not resist casting delighted glances at her late owner's face before going she knelt down one moment by his side and inclined her face to his with a very loving gaze lower and lower she bent as if she would give him a parting kiss till Aristarci uttered an exclamation then she laughed cruelly and with the back of her hand struck the lips that had so often touched her own a few moments later Aristarci had placed her in his boat the heavy bundle of spoils lay at her feet and the craft shot swiftly from the door of the house of the anus day for Michael Pandos the mate had been waiting under the window and a stroke of the oars brought him to the steps in the closed room where the friends were playing dice there began to be some astonishment at the time needed by Jacopo to replenish his purse when more than half an hour had passed one pair stopped playing and then another until they were all listening for some sound in the silent house the perfect stillness had something alarming in it and none of them fully trusted Contorini I think said Venier with all his habitual indolence that it is time to ascertain the color of the ladies hair can you break the lock he spoke to Foscari who nodded and went to the door with two or three others in a few seconds it flew open before their combined attack and they almost lost their balance as they staggered out into the dark hall the rest brought lights and they all began to go up the stairs together the first to enter the room was Foscari Venier always indifferent was among the last Foscari started at the extraordinary sight of a man in magnificent clothes lying on one shoulder with his heels tied up to his hands and his shorn head and face moving slowly from side to side in the bright light of the wax candle that stood on the floor the other men crowded into the room but at first no one recognized the master of the house then all at once Foscari saw the rings on his fingers suddenly he cried and somebody has shaved his head he burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter in which the others joined till the house rang again and the banished servants came running down to see what was the matter only Swan Venier a compassionate smile on his face knelt beside Contorini and carefully withdrew the iron gag from his mouth at the same instant in which his vessel was riding and he took the helm himself to steer her out through the narrow channel before the wind end of chapter 22 chapter 23 of A Made of Venice by Francis Marion Crawford this LibriVox recording is in the public domain chapter 23 when Foscari had let Zorzi in he crossed the canal again moored the skiff with lock and chain and came back by the wooden bridge Zorzi went on through the corridor and came out into the moonlit garden it was hard to believe that only 48 hours had passed since he left it but the freshly dug earth told him of Gagani's search about which Besqually had told him and there was the pleasant certainty that the master had come home and could probably protect him even against the ten stronger and more able to move than since he had been injured and he was sure that he could now walk with only a stick to help him though he was always to be lame he had looked up at Marietta's window before leaving the boat but it was dark for Besqually had wished to be sure that no one should see Zorzi and it was long past the young girl's bedtime Besqually came back and produced some more bread and cheese from his lodge for both men were hungry they sat down on the bench under the plain tree and ate their meager supper together in silence for they had talked much during the long day then Besqually bade Zorzi goodnight and went away and Zorzi went into the laboratory where all was dark but he knew every brick of the furnace and every stone of the pavement under his feet and in a few minutes he was fast asleep in his own bed feeling as safe as if the ten had never existed and as though the seniors of the night were not searching every purlew of Venice to take him into custody and early in the morning he got up and Besqually brought him water as of old and as his hose and doublet had suffered considerably during his adventures he put on the Sunday ones and came out into the garden to breathe the morning air Besqually had no intention of going over to the house to announce Zorzi's return he only convinced that the most simple way of keeping a secret was not to tell it and before long the master would probably come over himself to ask for news Beroviaro brought Marietto with him as he often did and when they were within he naturally stopped to question Besqually about his search while Marietto went on to the garden the porter took a long time to shut the door and instead of answering Beroviaro discontentedly and muttered implications on all matters of locks, latches, bolts, bores and other fastenings living, dead and yet unborn so it came to pass that Marietto came upon Zorzi suddenly and alone when she least expected to meet him he was standing by the well-remembered rose bush leaning on his stick with one hand and lifting up a trailing branch with the other but when he heard Marietto's step let the branch drop again and stood waiting for her with happy eyes she uttered a little cry that was almost a fear and stopped short in her walk for in the first instance she could have believed that she saw a vision then she ran forward without stretched hands and fell into his arms as he dropped his stick to catch her as her head touched his shoulder her heart stopped beating for a moment she gasped a little and seemed to choke and the tears of joy flowed from her eyes her pulses stirred again and all was well he felt a tremor in his hands and could not speak aloud but as he held her he bent down and whispered something in her ear and she smiled through the shower of her happy tears though he could not see it for her face was hidden just then Beraviaro entered from the corridor followed by Pasquale and the two old men stood still together pleasing at the young lovers it was on that very spot that the master when going upon his journey had told Zorzi how he wished he were his son but now he forgot that he had said it and the angry blood rushed to his forehead how dare you he cried as he made a step to go on towards the pair they heard his voice and separated hastily Marietta's fresh cheek blushed like red roses and she looked down shame-facedly as any country made but Zorzi turned white as he stooped to pick up his stick then stood quite upright and met her father's eyes how dare you I say repeated the old man fiercely I love her sir Zorzi answered without fear for himself but with much apprehension for Marietta and have you forgotten that I love him father asked Marietta looking up but still blushing you know I told you all the truth and you were not angry then at least you were not so very angry she added shyly correcting herself if she has told you sir Zorzi began let me you can tell me nothing I do not know cried Berve Yaro and nothing I wish to hear be off go to the laboratory and begin work I will speak with my daughter then Biscuali's voice was heard a furnace without a fire is like a ship without a wind it might as well be anything else Berve Yaro looked towards the old porter indignantly but Biscuali had already begun to move and was returning to his lodge uttering strange and unearthly sounds as he went for he was so happy that he was really trying to hum a tune the master turned to the lovers again Zorzi had withdrawn a step or two but showed no signs of going further if you are going to tell me that I must change my mind said Marietta and that it is a shame to love a penniless glassblower silence cried the old man stroking his beard fiercely how can you presume to guess what I may or may not say about your shameless conduct did I not see you kissing him I dare say for he did answered Marietta raising her eyebrows and looking down in a resided way and it is not the first time either she added shaking her head and almost laughing this insolence cried Berve Yaro the atrocious boldness sir said Zorzi coming near there is only one remedy for it give me your daughter for my wife upon my faith this is too much you know that Marietta is betrothed to Messerja Capocondorini I have told you that I will not marry him said Marietta quietly so it is just as if I had never been betrothed to him that is no reason for marrying Zorzi retorted Berve Yaro a pretty match for you Angelo Berve Yaro's daughter and the penniless foreigner who cannot even be allowed to work openly at his art if I go away Zorzi answered quietly I may soon be as rich as you sir at this unexpected statement Berve Yaro opened his eyes in real astonishment while Zorzi continued you have your secrets sir and I have kept them safe for you but I have one of my own which is as valuable as any of yours did you find some pieces of my work in the annealing oven I see that they are on the table now did you notice that the glass is like yours but finer and lighter well if it is what then asked Berve Yaro it was an accident you mixed something with some of my glass no answered Zorzi it is altogether a composition of my own I do not know how you mix your materials how should I I believe you do said Berve Yaro I believe you have found it out in some way Zorzi had produced a piece of folded paper from his doublet and now held it up in his hand I am not bargaining with you sir for you are a man of honor Angelo Berve Yaro will not rob me after having been kind to me for so many years this is my secret which I discovered alone with no one's help the quantities are written not very exactly and I am sure of them read what is written here by an accident I may have made something like your glass but I do not believe it he held out the paper Berve Yaro's manner changed you were always an honorable fellow Zorzi I thank you he opened the paper and looked attentively at its contents Marietta saw his surprise and interest and took the opportunity of smiling at Zorzi it is altogether a different from mine said Berve Yaro looking up and handing back the document is there fortune in that sir or not asked Zorzi confident of the reply but you know that there is and that wherever I go if I can get a furnace I shall soon be a rich man by the glass alone without even counting on such skill as I have with my hands it is true answered the master nodding his head thoughtfully there are many princes who would willingly give you the little you need in order to make your fortune the little that Venice refuses me said Zorzi with some bitterness am I presuming so much then when I ask you for your daughter's hand is it not in my power or will it not be very soon to go to some other city to Milan or Florence no no you shall not take her away he stopped short realizing that he had betrayed what had been in his mind since he had seen the two standing there clasped in one another's arms namely that in spite of him or with his blessing his daughter would before long be married to the man she loved come come he said testily this is sheer nonsense he made a step forward as if to break off the situation by going away if you would rather than I should not leave you sir said Zorzi I will stay here and make my glass in your furnace and you shall sell it as if it were your own yes father say yes cried Marietta clasping her hands upon the old man's shoulder you see how generous Zorzi is generous Birav Yaro shook his head he is trying to bribe me for there is a fortune in his glass as he says he is offering me a fortune I tell you to let him marry you the fortune which Mr. Jacopo had made you promise to pay him for condescending to be my husband retorted Marietta triumphantly it seems to me that of the two Zorzi is the better match Birav Yaro stared at her a moment bewildered then in half comic despair he clapped both his hands upon his ears and shook himself gently free of her was there ever a woman yet who could not make black seem white he cried it is nonsense I tell you it is all errant nonsense you are driving me out of my senses and there upon he went off down the garden path to the laboratory apparently forgetting that his presence alone could prevent a repetition of that very offense which had at first aroused his anger the door closed sharply after him with energetic emphasis at the same moment Marietta who had been gazing into Zorzi's eyes felt that her own sparkled with amusement and her father might also have heard her sweet low laugh through the open window at the other end of the garden that was well done she said between us we have almost persuaded him Zorzi took her willing hand and drew her to him and she was almost as near to him as before when she straightened herself with quick and elastic grace and left again no no she said if he were to look out and see us again it would be too ridiculous come and sit under the plain tree in the old place do you remember how you stared at the trunk and said me when I tried to make you speak ever so long ago do you know it was because you would not say what I wanted you to say that I let myself think that I could marry Mr. Jacopo if you had only known what you were doing if I had only known Zorzi echoed as they reached the place and Marietta sat down they were within sight of the window but Beroviaro did not heed them he was seated in his own chair in deep thought his elbows resting on the wooden arms his fingers pressing his temples on each side thinking of his daughter and perhaps not quite unaware that she was talking to the only man he had ever really trusted I must tell you something Zorzi she was saying as she looked up into the face she loved my father told me last night what he had done yesterday he saw Mr. Juan Venier Zorzi showed his surprise Pasquale told my father that he had been here to see you very well this Mr. Juan advised that if you could be found you should be persuaded to go before the tribunal of the tin of your own free will to tell your story and he promised to use all his influence and that of all his friends in your favor they will not change the law for me Zorzi replied in a hopeless way if they could hear you they would make a special decree said Marietta you could tell them your story you could even show them some of the beautiful things you have made they would understand that you are a great artist after all my father says that one of their most special duties is to deal with everything that concerns Marano and the glassworks do you think that they will banish you now that you have a secret of your own that is all by setting up a furnace somewhere else there is no sense in that and if you go of your own free will they will hear you kindly I think but if you stay here they will find you in the end and they will be very angry then because you will have been hiding from them you are wise Zorzi answered you are very wise no I love you she spoke softly and glanced at the open window then at his face truly he smiled happily as he whispered his question in one word and he was resting a hand on the trunk of the tree just as he had been standing on the day she remembered so well ah you know it now she answered with bright and trusting eyes one may know a song well and yet long to hear it again and again but one cannot be always singing it oneself she said you could never make it ring as sweetly as you Zorzi answered try it I am tired of hearing my voice but I am not there is no voice like it in the world I shall never care to hear another as long as I live nor any other song nor any other words and when you are weary of saying them I shall just say them over in my heart she loves me she loves me all day long which is better Marietta asked to love or to know that you are loved the two thoughts are like soul and body Zorzi answered you must not part them I never have since I have known the truth and never shall again then they were silent for a while but they hardly knew it for the world was full of the sweetest music they had ever heard and they listened together Zorzi the master was at the window calling him as if awaking and obeyed the summons as quickly as his lameness would allow Marietta looked after him watching his halting gate and the little effort he made with his stick at each step for some secret reason the injury had made him more dear to her and she liked to remember how brave he had been he found Berviero busy with his papers and the results of the year's experiments and the old man at once spoke to him as if nothing unusual had happened telling him what to do from time to time so that all might be put in order against the time when the fire should be lighted again in September by and by two men came carrying the new earthen jar for the broken glass and all fragments in which the box had lain were shoveled into it and the pieces of the old one were taken away the furnace was not quite cool even yet and the crucibles might remain where they were for a few days but there was much to be done and Zorzi was kept at work all the morning while Marietta sat in the shade with her work often looking towards the windows and sometimes catching sight of Zorzi as he moved about within Meanwhile the story of Contorini's mishap had spread in Venice like wildfire and before noon there was hardly one of all his many relations and friends who had not heard it the tale ran through the town told by high and low by Giacopo's own trusted servant and the old woman who had waited on Arissa and it had reached the marketplace at an early hour so that the ballot makers were busy with it for many had known of the existence of the beautiful Georgian slave and the subject was a good one for a song how she had caressed him to sleep and fostered his foolish security while he loved her blindly and how she and her mysterious lover had bound him and shaved his head and face and made him a laughing stock so that he must hide himself from the world for months and moreover how they had carried away by night all the precious gifts he had heaped upon the woman since he had bought her in the slave market Last of all his father heard it when he came home about an hour before noon from sitting on the council of ten of which he was a member for that year he founds one veneer waiting in the hall of his house and the two remained closeted together for some time for the young man had promised Jacopo to tell old Contorini though it was an ungrateful errand and one which the letter might remember against him but it was a kind action and veneer performed it as well as he could telling the story truthfully but leaving out all such useless details as might increase the father's anger At first he the old man brought his hand down heavily upon the table and swore that he would never see his son again that he would propose to the ten to banish him from Venice that he would disinherit him and let him starve as he deserved and much more to the same effect but veneer entreated him for his own dignity's sake to do none of these things but to send Jacopo to his villa on the Brenta river where he might devote himself in seclusion to growing his hair and beard again and Swan represented that if he reappeared in Venice after many months, not very greatly changed the adventure would be so far forgotten that his life among his friends would be at least bearable in spite of the ridicule to which he would now and then be exposed for the rest of his life whenever anyone chose out of spite to mention barbers, sheers, razors specifics for causing the hair to grow or Georgians in his presence further, veneer ventured to suggest to Contarini that he should at once break off the marriage arranged with Beroviaro rather than expose himself to the inevitable indignity of letting the step be taken by the glass maker who, said veneer, would as soon think of giving his daughter to a Turk as to Jacopo since the latter's graceless doings had been suddenly held up to the light as the laughing stock of all Venice in making this suggestion veneer had followed the suggestion of his own good sense and good feeling and Contarini not only accepted the proposal but was in the utmost haste to act upon it fearing less at any moment a messenger might come over from Murano with the news that Beroviaro withdrew his consent to the marriage veneer almost dictated the letter which Contarini wrote with trembling hand and he promised to deliver it himself and if necessary to act as ambassador Beroviaro had already called to Marietta that it was time to go home though the midday bells had not yet rung out the hour when Piscuali appeared in the garden and announced that veneer was waiting in his gondola and desired an immediate interview on a matter of importance he would have come on Contarini's behalf if for no other reason but he had spent much time that morning in laying Zorzi's case before his friends and all the members of the grand council who could have any special influence with the ten are with the aged doge who although in his 80th year frequently assisted in person at their meetings and whose counselors were always present he was now almost sure of obtaining a favorable hearing for Zorzi and wished to see Beroviaro for he was still in ignorance of Zorzi's return to the glass house during the night Marietta was told to go into the deserted building containing the main furnaces now extinguished for it was not fitting that she should be seen by a patrician whom she did not know sitting in the garden as if she were a mere serving woman whose face needed no veil she ran away laughing and hid herself in the passage where she had spent moments of anguish on the night of Zorzi's arrest and she waved a kiss to him when her father was not watching Zorzi waited at the door of the laboratory while Beroviaro waited within standing by the table to receive his honorable visitor when Zorzi saw Venier's expression of astonishment on seeing him he smiled quietly but offered no audible greeting for he did not know what was expected of him but Venier took his hand frankly and held it a moment I am glad to find you here he said less indolently than he usually spoke I have good news for you if you will take my advice the master has already told me what it is Zorzi answered I am ready to give myself up whenever you think best I have not words to thank you I do not like many words answered Venier but if there is anything I dislike more it is thanks I have some private business to do first afterwards we can all three talk together end of chapter 23 this recording by Michel Fry Baton Rouge, Louisiana