He simply said 'Yes' in a low voice.
'You know it, Charles ?' said I.
'I have just learnt it,' he said.
'O, Charles,' I went on, 'having delayed completing your marriage with her till now, I fear--it has become a serious position for us.

Why did you not reply to our letters ?' 'I was purposing to reply in person: I did not know how to address her on the point--how to address you.

But what has become of her ?' 'She has gone off with my father,' said I; 'indignant with you, and scorning me.' He was silent: and I suggested that we should follow them, pointing out the direction which I fancied their gondola had taken.

As the one we got into was doubly manned we soon came in view of their two figures ahead of us, while they were not likely to observe us, our boat having the 'felze' on, while theirs was uncovered.

They shot into a narrow canal just beyond the Giardino Reale, and by the time we were floating up between its slimy walls we saw them getting out of their gondola at the steps which lead up near the end of the Via 22 Marzo.