Still they were all such as denoted the residence of a noble of consideration.
"Thou wilt do wisely, Gino, to trust thy fortunes to the new gondola," said the master, as he mounted the heavy stone stairs to an upper floor, pointing, as he spoke, to a new and beautiful boat, which lay in a corner of the large vestibule, as carriages are seen standing in the courts of houses built on more solid ground.

"He who would find favor with Jupiter must put his own shoulder to the wheel, thou knowest, my friend." The eye of Gino brightened, and he was voluble in his expression of thanks.

They had ascended to the first floor, and were already deep in a suite of gloomy apartments, before the gratitude and professional pride of the gondolier were exhausted.
"Aided by a powerful arm and a fleet gondola, thy chance will be as good as another's, Gino," said Don Camillo, closing the door of his cabinet on his servant; "at present thou mayest give some proof of zeal in my service, in another manner.

Is the face of a man called Jacopo Frontoni known to thee ?" "Eccellenza!" exclaimed the gondolier, gasping for breath.
"I ask thee if thou knowest the countenance of one named Frontoni ?" "His countenance, Signore!" "By what else would'st thou distinguish a man ?" "A man, Signor' Don Camillo!" "Art thou mocking thy master, Gino?
I have asked thee if thou art acquainted with the person of a certain Jacopo Frontoni, a dweller here in Venice ?" "Eccellenza, yes." "He I mean has been long remarked by the misfortunes of his family; the father being now in exile on the Dalmatian coast, or elsewhere." "Eccellenza, yes." "There are many of the name of Frontoni, and it is important that thou should'st not mistake the man.

Jacopo, of that family, is a youth of some five-and-twenty, of an active frame and melancholy visage, and of less vivacity of temperament than is wont, at his years." "Eccellenza, yes." "One who consorts but little with his fellows, and who is rather noted for the silence and industry with which he attends to his concerns, than for any of the usual pleasantries and trifling of men of his cast.